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Let's stay close: An examination of the effects of imagined contact on behavior toward children with disability

Abstract: In line with current developments in indirect intergroup contact literature, we conducted a field study using the imagined contact paradigm among high-status (Italian children) and low-status (children with foreign origins) group members (N = 122; 53 females, mean age = 7.52 years). The experiment aimed to improve attitudes and behavior toward a different low-status group, children with disability. To assess behavior, we focused on an objective measure that captures the physical distance between participants and a child with disability over the course of a five-minute interaction (i.e., while playing together). Results from a 3-week intervention revealed that in the case of high-status children imagined contact, relative to a no-intervention control condition, improved outgroup attitudes and behavior, and strengthened helping and contact intentions. These effects however did not emerge among low-status children. The results are discussed in the context of intergroup contact literature, with emphasis on the implications of imagined contact for educational settings.


Citation:

Cocco, V. M.; Bisagno, E.; Bernardo, G. A. D.; Bicocchi, N.; Calderara, S.; Palazzi, A.; Cucchiara, R.; Zambonelli, F.; Cadamuro, A.; Stathi, S.; Crisp, R.; Vezzali, L. "Let's stay close: An examination of the effects of imagined contact on behavior toward children with disability" SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, vol. 32, pp. 1042 -1059 , 2023 DOI: 10.1111/sode.12662

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