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Intergroup Contact, Social Dominance and Environmental Concern: A Test of the Cognitive-Liberalization Hypothesis

Meleady, Rose, Crisp, Richard J., Dhont, Kristof, Hopthrow, Tim, Turner, Rhiannon N. (2020) Intergroup Contact, Social Dominance and Environmental Concern: A Test of the Cognitive-Liberalization Hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118 (6). pp. 1146-1164. ISSN 0022-3514. E-ISSN 1939-1315. (doi:10.1037/pspi0000196) (KAR id:73713)

Abstract

Intergroup contact is among the most effective ways to improve intergroup attitudes. While it is now beyond any doubt that contact can reduce prejudice, in this paper we provide evidence that its benefits can extend beyond intergroup relations – a process referred to as cognitive liberalization (Hodson, Crisp, Meleady & Earle, 2018). We focus specifically on the impact of intergroup contact on environmentally-relevant attitudes and behavior. Recent studies suggest that support for an inequality-based ideology (Social Dominance Orientation) can predict both intergroup attitudes and broader environmental conduct. Individuals higher in SDO are more willing to exploit the environment in unsustainable ways because doing so aids the production and maintenance of hierarchical social structures. In four studies conducted with British adults we show that by promoting less hierarchical and more egalitarian viewpoints (reduced SDO), intergroup contact encourages more environmentally responsible attitudes and behavior. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal data support this model. Effects are more strongly explained by reductions in an anti-egalitarian motive (SDO-E) than a dominance motive (SDO-D). We discuss how these findings help define an expanded vision for intergroup contact theory that moves beyond traditional conflict-related outcomes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1037/pspi0000196
Uncontrolled keywords: intergroup contact, environmental concern, social dominance orientation, prejudice, cognitive liberalization, Social Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Kristof Dhont
Date Deposited: 01 May 2019 09:15 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 14:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/73713 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Crisp, Richard J..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Dhont, Kristof.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6060-8083
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Hopthrow, Tim.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2331-7150
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