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Preferred term

contact hypothesis  

Definition

  • The proposal that under certain conditions, the direct contact of member of different groups (e.g., members of two ethnic groups) will improve their relationship. However, for contact to have this effect, it is proposed that the two groups need to be of equal status at the time of contact and that there need to be individual interactions among the members of the two groups. [Source: The SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences; Contact Hypothesis]

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URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/contact_hypothesis

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