Intergroup contact experience and frequency as predictors of cross-racial attitudes

Abstract

This article discusses a study in which the relationships between contact frequency, experiences of intergroup contact, a number of demographic variables and intergroup attitudes were investigated. A telephone survey was conducted for which a probability sampling design was implemented. The final realised samples consisted of 544 Blacks and 478 Whites. Three CHAID models with attitudes towards Blacks and Afrikaans-speaking and English-speaking Whites as dependant variables were investigated. Whereas contact frequency was not a significant predictor in any of the models, contact experience was the most important predictor in all three models. Age and geographical location were furthermore significant predictors of Black attitudes towards the two White groups. Conclusions are drawn regarding further theorising and research regarding intergroup contact within a complex web of factors influencing intergroup relations in heterogeneous societies.