The Role of Counseling Psychology

Demographic trends and advances in technology have increased proximity and interdependence of diverse and historically separate races and cultures worldwide, leading to more frequent intergroup contact. Such contact can lead to mutually beneficial relationships, or to misunderstandings, discrimination, and conflict. The available current research on intergroup contact indicates that simply bringing groups into contact with each other is not enough to ensure positive outcomes. The purpose of this research study was to examine one specific programmed intergroup contact effort by looking at four major areas identified in the intergroup contact literature as warranting further attention. Specifically, this study attempted to (1) research the effects of one model programmed intergroup contact intervention program, (2) examine the impact of intergroup contact on both majority and minority participants simultaneously, (3) explore the interactions between majority and minority participants from a phenomenological perspective, and (4) examine the role of empathy in influencing the outcome of the contact experience.