kontaktteooria

Kontaktteooria, known in English as contact theory, is a social psychological framework that explains how interpersonal contact between members of disparate groups can reduce prejudice, intergroup anxiety, and stereotyping. The theory was first formulated by Gordon W. Allport in 1954 in his seminal book Equality, and later operationalized by Pettigrew, Roger, and colleagues in the 1970s. Allport identified four essential conditions under which intergroup contact would produce positive attitudinal change: equal status within the shared setting, common goals, intergroup cooperation, and support by authorities, law, or custom.

Empirical research has largely validated the original hypotheses. The classic "Contact Studies" by Pettigrew (1979) found that intergroup contact, when occurring in a structured context aligning with the four conditions, significantly correlated with reduced negative attitudes. Meta-analyses of contact outcomes consistently report medium‑to‑large effect sizes for prejudice reduction. However, contact can sometimes reinforce biases if it occurs in non‑equal or hostile contexts; such interactions may produce “contact hostility” or “defense mechanisms” that exacerbate intergroup conflict.

In modern society, contact theory underlies many diversity programs in workplaces, schools, and community settings. Recent adaptations emphasize “intergroup friendships” and “cooperative learning” as mechanisms that sustain long‑term attitude change. Critics argue that the theory oversimplifies complex social dynamics and may not account for structural inequalities that constrain contact. Nonetheless, contact theory continues to be a foundation for research on social cohesion, prejudice reduction, and inclusive policy design.