The following study explored the secondary transfer effect (STE) through minimal, online intergroup contact, with a positive and negative dimension of contact through acceptance from outgroup and the rejection from ingroup peers. An experiment was conducted where the participants played an economic game with fictional players. The manipulation in the experimental condition involved minimal contact in the form of rejection from two (fictional) ingroup members combined with acceptance from one (fictional) outgroup member. This was compared to a control condition, in which participants received no feedback nor contact with other players. The dependent variable comprised measures of prejudice against three groups: immigrants, Muslims and old people. Results showed significantly lower prejudice towards immigrants in the experimental condition compared to the control condition, which is consistent with previous research and contact theory. Secondary transfer effects did occur, but not towards the expected groups.

This thesis aims to investigate the secondary transfer effect of contact, a phenomenon whereby contact with one outgroup leads to improved attitudes towards other, non-contacted outgroups. While evidence mounts for the existence of secondary transfer effects, its underlying mediation processes remain poorly conceptualised and thus, poorly understood. Thus, in this thesis, I aimed to clarify the conditions under and the processes by which the secondary transfer effect works. Chapter 1 introduces intergroup contact theory and traces its development from the contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954) to the uncovering of the secondary transfer effect. Based on theory from all aspects of intergroup contact research, Chapter 1 proposes a theoretically reformulated approach to understanding the deprovincialization hypothesis by way of (1) diversity beliefs, (2) the development of a multicultural outlook on intergroup relations, and (3) a more nuanced understanding of when ingroup identity is likely to relate ethnocentrically to outgroup attitudes. Point three more specifically looks at the role of social dominance orientation as a moderator of the relationship between ingroup identification and outgroup attitude. Chapter 1 also provides an extension to the attitude generalization hypothesis by considering the role that similarity gradients play. Chapter 2 discusses methodological considerations important to the analysis strategy used throughout the thesis. Six empirical investigations across three contexts—England (Studies 1 and 2), Northern Ireland (Studies 3 and 4) and South Africa (Studies 5 and 6) set out to test the secondary transfer effect and the hypotheses offered in Chapter 1. Across three cross-sectional studies (Studies 1, 2, 3, and 4), a three-wave longitudinal study (Study 5) and an experimental study (Study 6), I was able to show the following: (a) that attitude generalization is a robust mediator of the secondary transfer effect (Studies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5); (b) similarity gradients qualify the attitude generalization process such that attitudes generalize more strongly between outgroups that are perceived to be similar (Studies 3, 4, and 5); (c) that diversity beliefs (Study 2) and multiculturalism (Study 4), as alternative interpretations of the deprovincialization effect, mediate the secondary transfer effect; (d) social dominance orientation moderates the relationship between ingroup identification and outgroup attitude (Study 3); (e) that the deprovincialization and attitude generalization hypotheses are not independent, but rather interrelated processes of the secondary transfer effect (Studies 2, 3, and 4); (f) that experimentally manipulated forms of extended contact can lead to the secondary transfer effect because group categories and membership are made salient during the extended contact experience (Study 6); and (g) that it is contact that leads to wider attitude generalization rather than less prejudiced people seeking contact from a wider pool of social groups (Study 5). Furthermore, owing to their three-wave longitudinal (Study 5) and experimental (Study 6) designs, these two studies provide the most convincing evidence of the causal nature—from contact to reduced prejudice—of the secondary transfer effect to date. Taken together, these six studies provide a wealth of critical support for the secondary transfer effect as well as for the reformulated deprovincialization and the extended attitude generalization hypotheses.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Intergroup contact has proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice and improve attitudes towards an outgroup (e.g., Allport, 1954; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). The present study investigated the extent to which positive intergroup contact (namely cross-group friendships) with coloured South African students are associated with positive attitudes towards not only coloured South Africans in general (the primary outgroup), but also towards black (African) South Africans in general (a secondary outgroup). As such, the present study focused on testing the secondary transfer effect of intergroup contact (Lolliot et al., 2013; Pettigrew, 2009). A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used to explore the secondary transfer effect of intergroup contact via the processes of empathy and attitude generalisation. Data were collected amongst white South African students at Stellenbosch University (N = 551), via an electronic survey. The findings from the present study show that cross-group friendships with coloured South African students (primary outgroup) positively and significantly predicted more positive attitudes towards coloured South Africans in general, and that these effects generalised towards black (African) South Africans in general (secondary outgroup), after controlling for general contact with this secondary outgroup. These findings support the secondary transfer effect of contact. Moreover, the results show that the secondary transfer effect occurs via the processes of empathy and attitude generalisation. This research contributes to the relatively sparse body of literature exploring the secondary transfer effect and the underlying processes mediating this effect. Knowing how positive attitudes generalise from one outgroup to other outgroups could offer practical means for shaping intergroup contact interventions that aim to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations, especially in the post-conflict South African context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Daar is bewys dat intergroep kontak een van die doeltreffendste maniere is om vooroordeel te verminder en houdings teenoor 'n uitgroep te verbeter (b.v., Allport, 1954; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Die huidige studie ondersoek tot watter mate positiewe intergroep kontak (naamlik kruis-groep vriendskappe) met bruin/kleurling Suid-Afrikaanse studente verband hou met positiewe houdings nie net teenoor bruin/kleurling Suid-Afrikaners oor die algemeen nie (die primêre uitgroep), maar ook teenoor swart Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen (‘n sekondêre uitgroep). Na aanleiding hiervan fokus die huidige studie om die sekondêre oordrag effek van intergroep kontak te toets (Lolliot et al., 2013; Pettigrew, 2009). 'n Kwantitatiewe, deursnee-ontwerp was gebruik om die sekondêre oordrag effek van intergroep kontak te verken, via die prosesse van empatie- en houding-veralgemening. Die data was onder wit Suid-Afrikaanse studente by Stellenbosch Universiteit (N = 551) ingesamel deur middel van ‘n elektroniese vraelys. Die bevindinge van die huidige studie toon dat kruis-groep vriendskappe met bruin/kleurling Suid-Afrikaanse studente (primêre uitgroep) positief en beduidend meer positiewe houdings teenoor bruin/kleurling Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen voorspel en dat hierdie effekte veralgemeen na swart Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen (sekondêre uitgroep) nadat daar kontrole gehou is oor die algemene kontak met hierdie sekondêre uitgroep. Hierdie bevindinge ondersteun die sekondêre oordrag effek van intergroep kontak. Die bevindinge bewys ook dat die sekondêre oordrag effek plaasvind deur die prosesse van empatie- en houding-veralgemening. Hierdie navorsing dra by tot die relatief yl beskikbare literatuur wat die sekondêre oordrag effek ondersoek, asook die onderliggende prosesse wat hierdie effek bemiddel. Die wete hoe positiewe houdings van een uitgroep na ander uitgroepe veralgemeen, kan prakties aangewend word tot intergroep kontak intervensies wat poog om vooroordeel te verminder en tussengroep-verhoudings te verbeter, veral in die post-konflik Suid-Afrikaanse konteks.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : The contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954) provides an established theoretical framework for pursuing positive intergroup relationships (Hewstone & Swart, 2011; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006) and stipulates certain optimal conditions under which contact reduces prejudice. The secondary transfer effect of contact describes a process whereby attitudes towards outgroups not encountered in the original intergroup encounter might also be improved (Pettigrew, 2009; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). A three-wave longitudinal experimental study amongst white South African students at Stellenbosch University (N = 58) was undertaken, using two experimental groups (direct and extended) and a control group. The present study investigated whether direct and extended contact with a black (African) confederate would not only improve attitudes towards black (African) South Africans in general, but also improve attitudes towards Indian South Africans, not involved in the contact situation (i.e., the secondary transfer effect). Findings show that the experimentally manipulated contact reduced intergroup anxiety (from baseline levels measured one week earlier) towards black (African) South Africans. These effects were, however, non-significant, and suggest the present study may have been under-powered. Moreover, the findings showed that experimentally manipulated contact significantly improved outgroup attitudes and outgroup trust (from baseline levels measured one week earlier) towards black (African) South Africans in the direct contact condition, as well as the extended contact condition (outgroup attitudes only). Finally, the present study found significant evidence for the operation of the secondary transfer effect via attitude generalisation. Positive intergroup contact with the black (African) South African confederate predicted a significant change in outgroup attitudes towards black (African) South Africans in general from Time 1 (baseline) to Time 2 (post-task), which in turn predicted more positive attitudes towards Indian South Africans in general at Time 2, controlling for prior quantity and quality of contact with Indian South Africans. The secondary transfer effect was not observed for outgroup trust. The present study contributes to the existing literature on the secondary transfer effect and replicates international findings within the South African context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Die kontak hipotese (Allport, 1954) bied ʼn gevestigde teoretiese raamwerk vir die voortsetting van positiewe intergroep verhoudings (Hewstone & Swart, 2011; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006) en bepaal sekere optimale toestande waaronder kontak vooroordeel verminder. Die sekondȇre oordrag effek van kontak beskryf ʼn proses waardeur houdings teenoor buitegroepe wat nie gedurende die oorspronklike intergroep kontak teёgekom is nie, ook verbeter word (Pettigrew, 2009; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). ʼn Drie-golf longitudinale eksperimentele studie onder wit Suid-Afrikaanse studente verbonde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (N = 58) is onderneem, met behulp van twee eksperimentele groepe (direkte en uitgebreide) en ʼn kontrole groep (N = 16). Die huidige studie het ondersoek of direkte en uitgebreide kontak met ʼn swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaner nie net houdings teenoor swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen verbeter nie, maar ook houdings teenoor Indiёr Suid-Afrikaners, wie nie by die oorspronklike kontak situasie betrokke was nie ook verbeter (d.w.s. die sekondȇre oordrag effek). Resultate toon dat die eksperimenteel gemanipuleerde kontak intergroep angs teenoor swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaners verminder (vanaf basislyn vlakke gemeet een week tevore). Hierdie effek is egter nie beduidend nie, moontlik omdat die statistiese kragdoeltreffendheid van die studie onvoldoende was. Die resultate toon verder dat eksperimenteel gemanipuleerde kontak buitegroep houdings en buitegroep vertroue (vanaf basislyn vlakke gemeet een week tevore) teenoor swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaners beduidend verbeter in die direkte kontak groep, sowel as die uitgebreide kontak groep (slegs vir buitegroep houdings). Ten slotte, die huidige studie het beduidende bewyse gevind vir die werking van die sekondȇre oordrag effek via houding veralgemening. Positiewe intergroep kontak met die swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaner voorspel ʼn beduidende verbetering in die buitegroep houding teenoor swart (Afrikaan) Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen van Tyd 1 (basislyn) tot Tyd 2 (na die eksperimentele manipulasie), wat op sy beurt meer positiewe houdings teenoor Indiёr Suid-Afrikaners in die algemeen teen Tyd 2 voorspel, nadat daar vir beide kwaliteit en kwantiteit van vorige kontak met Indiёr Suid-Afrikaners beheer is. Die sekondȇre oordrag effek is nie vir buitegroep vertroue waargeneem nie. Die huidige studie dra by tot die bestaande literatuur oor die sekondȇre effek van kontak en ondersteun soortgelyke internasionale bevindinge binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Stellenbosch University.