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The effectiveness of intergroup contact at work: Mediators and moderators of hospital workers' prejudice towards immigrants
Author(s) -
Pagotto Lisa,
Voci Alberto,
Maculan Valentina
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of community and applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.042
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1099-1298
pISSN - 1052-9284
DOI - 10.1002/casp.1038
Subject(s) - prejudice (legal term) , empathy , salience (neuroscience) , psychology , social psychology , anxiety , immigration , contact theory , clinical psychology , psychiatry , political science , structural engineering , law , cognitive psychology , engineering
The present research examines the effectiveness of intergroup contact between 167 Italian hospital workers and foreign patients in reducing prejudice towards immigrants in general. The outcomes of contact at work were analysed controlling for the influence of contact outside the workplace and through mass media, and taking into account the role of empathy, anxiety and group membership salience. Results indicate that the beneficial effects of contact at work were partially mediated by increased empathy and reduced anxiety, experienced both in the work environment and towards immigrants in general. Finally, high levels of group membership salience facilitated the influence of contact on intergroup emotions. These findings show that contact at work can be a powerful means to reduce prejudice, thanks to its capacity to evoke changes in affective responses. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.