Parasocial Contact’s Effects on Relations Between Minority Groups in a Multiracial Context

Authors

  • Chanjung Kim University of Arizona
  • Jake Harwood University of Arizona

Keywords:

mediated intergroup contact, parasocial contact, multigroup context, social identity theory, contact theory

Abstract

We introduce and examine the effects of parasocial contact between out-groups—or contact that occurs when someone observes a media portrayal of contact between members of two out-groups. Our study examines Hispanic people’s perceptions of Black or Native American out-groups after observing positive contact between a member of one of those groups and a majority group (White) person. Based on social identity theory, we predict that parasocial contact between out-groups will exacerbate prejudice toward the Black out-group, relative to observing African Americans not interacting with the majority out-group. The study’s findings, however, do not support our expectation. All forms of contact improved attitudes about African Americans, even when the stimulus materials featured Native Americans. Results are discussed in terms of the cognitive liberalization potential of contact.

Author Biographies

Chanjung Kim, University of Arizona

Chanjung Kim (Ph.D., University of Arizona, Tucson) is a lecturer at the Department of Communication, Chonnam National University, in South Korea

Jake Harwood, University of Arizona

Jake Harwood (Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara) is Professor of Communication at the University of Arizona. He is author of Understanding Communication and Aging (2nd Edition, 2018) and Communication and Music in Social Interaction (2018), and co-editor of The Dynamics of Intergroup Communication (2011) and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Intergroup Communication (2018, Oxford). He is the author of about 150 articles and chapters concerning communication, music, aging, and intergroup relations. 

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Published

2020-01-01

Issue

Vol. 14 (2020)

Section

Articles

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