Durham University Research Advances Understanding of Negative Social Contact

The research, led by Professor Stefania Paolini, analyses 70 years of research into the psychological effects of intergroup social contact.

These group contacts include interactions between people from different social groups, such as racial, ethnic or religious groups, and can take place anywhere from talking in the street to more formal gatherings.

The psychological effects of social interactions

It is well established in social psychology that face-to-face interactions between people of differing social groups can contribute to social cohesion. This is through reducing prejudice, increasing mutual trust, and improving behavioral intentions.

This breakthrough research takes a fresh look at the negative impacts of social contact, analysing the effects of when the experience may not go as well.

The impacts of negative social experiences

Negative social experiences in our lives worsen our responses to those different from us, more so than neutral or positive experiences mute or improve such responses. This being known as negativity bias.

Data analysed by Professor Paolini’s research team found evidence for negativity bias from these kinds of interactions, demonstrating that negative impacts can far outweigh the positive.

Advancing understanding of negativity bias

The paper advances understanding of the impacts of negativity bias and highlights the need for more co-ordinated introductions and contacts between social groups, where the opportunities for the social contact to go well can be maximised.

Crucially, the research determined these adverse impacts were less pronounced where people had less opportunities to opt out of the contact or were motivated to engage in it.

The team behind the research believes it provides a step change to the psychological understanding of intergroup social contact in real world-settings. Also, with the potential to help shape more effective policies and interventions in the areas of desegregation, mainstreaming, social integration and peacebuilding around the world.

The paper has been published in the journal Psychological Bulletin. This research was fund by The Australian Research Council.