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Contact Interventions: A Meta-Analysis

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  • Gwen-Jiro Clochard

    (CREST, Ecole Polytechnique)

Abstract

For decades, intergroup contact has been viewed as one of the main tools to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations. This paper reviews the experimental literature on the contact hypothesis. Based on an analysis of 62 measures from 37 papers, the conclusions are threefold. First, contact interventions are, on average, effective at reducing prejudice. Second, there exists a very large heterogeneity in the type of interventions labelled as contact. Third, characteristics of the experimental context, rather than the intervention itself, seem to matter for the efficacy of contact. Implications for the future of the contact literature are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gwen-Jiro Clochard, 2022. "Contact Interventions: A Meta-Analysis," Working Papers 2022-14, Center for Research in Economics and Statistics.
    • Handle: RePEc:crs:wpaper:2022-14
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    File URL: http://crest.science/RePEc/wpstorage/2022-14.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    contact hypothesis; meta-analysis; prejudice reduction; field experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods

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