An investigation into the effect of vicarious contact on attitudes and intended friendship behaviour towards Irish travellers and perceived group norms about cross-group friendships among settled Irish children in the Republic of Ireland

• Main Author: Dupont, Maeve
• Published: Cardiff University 2017
• Subjects: BF Psychology
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.742850

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of vicarious contact (the observation of an interaction between ingroup and outgroup members) on primary school children’s attitudes and intended friendship behaviour towards Traveller Irish children along with perceived group norms about the acceptability of intergroup friendship among settled children. Primary school children aged between 8 and 12 in the Republic of Ireland participated in a 3 week intervention where they read 3 stories (over 6 sessions) featuring settled Irish and Traveller Irish children in friendship contexts. Prior to the intervention participants completed measures of intergroup attitudes, intended friendship and perceived norms about intergroup friendship. Approximately 1 week after the last story session they were tested on the same measures. Results showed that those taking part in the intervention, compared to participants in the control group, revealed more positive friendship intentions towards Travellers. Those in the treatment group also expressed that more settled and Traveller children would approve of intergroup friendships. There was no significant effect of intervention on attitudes towards Travellers. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.