““Intergroup Interaction via Intergroup Interaction via the Internet”the Internet”

Yair Amichai-HamburgerYair Amichai-Hamburger, ,

The Interdisciplinary Center, The Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, IsraelHerzliya, Israel

Intergroup conflict

Intergroup conflict is sadly part of our existence. Such conflicts exist around the globe originating through differences, for example, in beliefs, religion, race, and culture. The degree of conflict between rival groups varies from mild hostility to all-out war, leading to the loss of thousands of lives every year.

The contact The contact hypothesis came to hypothesis came to prominence in 1954, prominence in 1954, following the decision following the decision of the Uof the U..SS. . Supreme Supreme Court to end the Court to end the segregation of black segregation of black and white students in and white students in the education systemthe education system. .

The five most important criteria are for a successful The five most important criteria are for a successful contact are:contact are:

11Equal statusEqual status between the participants. between the participants. 2. 2. Cooperation over a superordinate goalCooperation over a superordinate goal 3. 3. Intimate contactIntimate contact: : The contact has to create a context The contact has to create a context

in which the participants can really learn to know the in which the participants can really learn to know the other sideother side. .

44..Institutional supportInstitutional support: : The backing of the authorities is The backing of the authorities is likely to create positive expectations from the contact likely to create positive expectations from the contact and build positive social norms.and build positive social norms.

5. 5. Willingness to participateWillingness to participate: The participants must be : The participants must be contributing to the contact of their own volition and not contributing to the contact of their own volition and not because they have been compelled to do so. because they have been compelled to do so.

AmichaiAmichai--Hamburger and McKenna Hamburger and McKenna ((20062006) ) suggested that traditional facesuggested that traditional face--toto--face face ((FtFFtF) ) contact suffers from three main contact suffers from three main obstaclesobstacles: :

((11) ) practicality practicality ((22) ) anxiety anxiety ((33) ) generalizationgeneralization..

PracticalityPracticality

organizing a meeting among members of organizing a meeting among members of opposing groups raises both financial and opposing groups raises both financial and practical issuespractical issues. . Bringing together groups that are geographically distant from one another may prove very costly, and bringing together those that live in segregated areas may prove logistically challenging.

AnxietyAnxiety

Intergroup anxiety is the result of the anticipation Intergroup anxiety is the result of the anticipation of negative reactions during the intergroup of negative reactions during the intergroup encounter (Stephan & Stephan, 1996). encounter (Stephan & Stephan, 1996).

When an individual is anxious, he or she is more When an individual is anxious, he or she is more likely to use heuristics. Thus, if an intergroup likely to use heuristics. Thus, if an intergroup contact produces significant levels of anxiety in contact produces significant levels of anxiety in the individual or individuals involved, he or she the individual or individuals involved, he or she is more likely to apply stereotypes to the is more likely to apply stereotypes to the outgroup (Bodenhausen, 1990).outgroup (Bodenhausen, 1990).

GeneralizationGeneralization

One of the greatest challenges to the contact One of the greatest challenges to the contact hypothesis is whether the results of a positive hypothesis is whether the results of a positive contact with a member of the outgroup will be contact with a member of the outgroup will be generalized furthergeneralized further. .

Group saliency during the interaction appears to Group saliency during the interaction appears to be critically important to a successful be critically important to a successful generalizationgeneralization. . There is much debate among There is much debate among researchers about the optimum level of salienceresearchers about the optimum level of salience. .

The answer:The answer:The Net Intergroup (NIC) PlatformThe Net Intergroup (NIC) Platform

The practical aspectThe practical aspect

Internet platform is likely to be much Internet platform is likely to be much cheaper to run and will solve many logistic cheaper to run and will solve many logistic problems. On the internet their is no problems. On the internet their is no meaning to geographical distancesmeaning to geographical distances

AnxietyAnxiety

Many of the situational factors that can foster Many of the situational factors that can foster feelings of anxiety in social situations (e.g., feelings of anxiety in social situations (e.g., having to respond on the spot, feeling under having to respond on the spot, feeling under visual scrutiny) are absent in online interactions visual scrutiny) are absent in online interactions because participants have more control over because participants have more control over how they present themselves and their views how they present themselves and their views online. People may feel better able to express online. People may feel better able to express themselves and feel more at ease with their themselves and feel more at ease with their online partners than they would if they were online partners than they would if they were interacting in person.interacting in person.

GeneralizationGeneralization

One of the advantages of online One of the advantages of online communication is that one can quite easily communication is that one can quite easily manipulate the degree of individual versus manipulate the degree of individual versus group saliency in a given contact situation group saliency in a given contact situation to achieve a desired outcometo achieve a desired outcome..

The NIC platformThe NIC platform

The NIC platform focuses on intergroup contact The NIC platform focuses on intergroup contact through the Internet, which starts online and only through the Internet, which starts online and only moves to a FtF contact after certain conditions moves to a FtF contact after certain conditions have been methave been met. . However, this platform could However, this platform could equally be used for other types of intergroup equally be used for other types of intergroup contact, for example, to support an ongoing FtF contact, for example, to support an ongoing FtF contact, or as a service for a FtF contact that in contact, or as a service for a FtF contact that in essence has finished its work but has a need to essence has finished its work but has a need to hold occasional followhold occasional follow--up meetingsup meetings. .

Group LeadersGroup Leaders

Leaders: Leaders: The home page of the website The home page of the website contains a request for group leaders. contains a request for group leaders. These leaders will be required to: These leaders will be required to:

(1) Bring together suitable participants (1) Bring together suitable participants from their ingroup; from their ingroup;

(2) organize a data bank on their group; (2) organize a data bank on their group; and and

(3) facilitate the group during the contact.(3) facilitate the group during the contact.

Data BankData Bank

The data will be divided into several main sections:The data will be divided into several main sections:

1. The historical background of the group.1. The historical background of the group.

2. Successful milestones in the group’s history.2. Successful milestones in the group’s history.

3. Major principles on which the group is based.3. Major principles on which the group is based.

4. Cultural characteristics4. Cultural characteristics

5. Behavioral codes.5. Behavioral codes.

Data BankData Bank

The data bank will enable an interactive The data bank will enable an interactive learning process to take place before the learning process to take place before the actual contact so that people will become actual contact so that people will become familiar with the outgroup. It will also be familiar with the outgroup. It will also be available in real time during the contact. In available in real time during the contact. In this way, a participant who is unsure as to this way, a participant who is unsure as to whether a certain mode of behavior is whether a certain mode of behavior is suitable will be able to find out by using suitable will be able to find out by using the interactive data bank.the interactive data bank.

Breaking the dissimilarity Breaking the dissimilarity perceptionperception

The NIC platform aims to provide a platform The NIC platform aims to provide a platform about the other side. This knowledge leads about the other side. This knowledge leads participants away from a position of seeing the participants away from a position of seeing the other side as homogeneous toward a other side as homogeneous toward a heterogeneity perception of the outgroup. heterogeneity perception of the outgroup.

This new information should also lead to the This new information should also lead to the discovery of crosscutting categories (CCC) discovery of crosscutting categories (CCC) between the rival groups. These are important between the rival groups. These are important because once the different groups learn what because once the different groups learn what they share in common, goodwill is created, they share in common, goodwill is created, which makes it easier to deal with the more which makes it easier to deal with the more painful issues when they arise. painful issues when they arise.

Platform supervisorPlatform supervisor

The contact will be supervised by a social psychologist The contact will be supervised by a social psychologist who is familiar with the field of intergroup conflict in who is familiar with the field of intergroup conflict in general and the contact hypothesis in particular. The general and the contact hypothesis in particular. The supervisor will also be familiar with the group dynamic. supervisor will also be familiar with the group dynamic. Before the supervision of any contact, the supervisor will Before the supervision of any contact, the supervisor will learn about the conflict, including:learn about the conflict, including:

(1) the histories of the different sides to the conflict; (1) the histories of the different sides to the conflict; (2) the main issues of conflict; and (2) the main issues of conflict; and (3) past attempts to improve intergroup relations, both (3) past attempts to improve intergroup relations, both

successes and failures. successes and failures. In addition, the supervisor will be expected to learn the In addition, the supervisor will be expected to learn the

cultural norms and cultural norms and etiquetteetiquette of both sides. of both sides.

The Contact ProcessesThe Contact Processes

The process we suggest is built on the following stages:The process we suggest is built on the following stages: 1. The psychologist will meet with each group separately 1. The psychologist will meet with each group separately

and learn their expectations and anxieties before the and learn their expectations and anxieties before the sessions start. She or he will be able to answer any sessions start. She or he will be able to answer any questions participants may have.questions participants may have.

2. 2. Initial intergroup contactInitial intergroup contact: sessions to build familiarity : sessions to build familiarity between group members.between group members.

3. 3. Intergroup cooperationIntergroup cooperation: sessions focused on : sessions focused on cooperating on a superordinate goal project.cooperating on a superordinate goal project.

4. 4. Areas of disagreementAreas of disagreement: at the last stage sessions will : at the last stage sessions will be held dealing with the major issues of the dispute.be held dealing with the major issues of the dispute.

Cooperation toward the Cooperation toward the superordinate goalsuperordinate goal

We aim to create interdependence between the We aim to create interdependence between the participants. Before a contact, group leaders, participants. Before a contact, group leaders, together with the supervisor will assess several together with the supervisor will assess several options for possible superordinate goals. Their options for possible superordinate goals. Their assessment will take into account both their assessment will take into account both their understanding of the psychological profile of the understanding of the psychological profile of the group members and the suitability of these group members and the suitability of these projects in terms of practical considerations, projects in terms of practical considerations, including the time available for completion including the time available for completion

Challenge: FlamingChallenge: Flaming All candidates have to sign a contract that states that All candidates have to sign a contract that states that

they accept the rules of NIC and will not use abusive they accept the rules of NIC and will not use abusive language under any circumstances. language under any circumstances.

The contact is supervised and group leaders are The contact is supervised and group leaders are instructed to cool tempers should the debate become too instructed to cool tempers should the debate become too heated.heated.

In case of mild hostility, a warning will be given to the In case of mild hostility, a warning will be given to the offender, together with a caution that any repetition of offender, together with a caution that any repetition of this type of behavior will lead to his or her expulsion from this type of behavior will lead to his or her expulsion from the contact.the contact.

In cases of a blatant hostility, leaders are instructed to In cases of a blatant hostility, leaders are instructed to forbid the offender from staying in the group; the forbid the offender from staying in the group; the offender will be asked to leave immediately. offender will be asked to leave immediately.

Challenge: CommitmentChallenge: Commitment The commitment of candidates will be assessed carefully The commitment of candidates will be assessed carefully

before they are permitted to take part in the contact. This before they are permitted to take part in the contact. This increases the match between participants’ needs and increases the match between participants’ needs and group goals, which enhances commitment. group goals, which enhances commitment.

Group leaders will encourage their members to increase Group leaders will encourage their members to increase the communication within the group using all possible the communication within the group using all possible channels. channels.

Throughout the encounter, the leader will emphasize the Throughout the encounter, the leader will emphasize the benefits to members (based on the match between their benefits to members (based on the match between their needs and the group goals). needs and the group goals).

During the precontact meetings and during the contact, it During the precontact meetings and during the contact, it is vital to encourage members to express themselves is vital to encourage members to express themselves (Rheingold, 1993) and to give them positive feedback for (Rheingold, 1993) and to give them positive feedback for their contribution and endeavors (Shore & Tetrick, 1991). their contribution and endeavors (Shore & Tetrick, 1991).

Participants will also be asked for their feedback Participants will also be asked for their feedback at several stages throughout the process. In this at several stages throughout the process. In this way, we hope to enhance their feeling of way, we hope to enhance their feeling of belonging and of being significant members. belonging and of being significant members. Should a group member fail to attend a session Should a group member fail to attend a session without prior notice, the leader will contact the without prior notice, the leader will contact the group member and find out the reason. In this group member and find out the reason. In this way, we hope to increase involvement and way, we hope to increase involvement and prevent unaddressed resentments from building prevent unaddressed resentments from building up.up.

Last WordLast Word Our aim is to employ the NIC platform in real conflicts Our aim is to employ the NIC platform in real conflicts

around the world. Working together with experts in around the world. Working together with experts in specific areas of conflict will help us to adapt the NIC specific areas of conflict will help us to adapt the NIC platform where necessary, to accommodate the needs of platform where necessary, to accommodate the needs of different groups. different groups.

The fact that the system and the different encounters are The fact that the system and the different encounters are fully documented will lead to efficiency and success in fully documented will lead to efficiency and success in understanding the changes that need to be made to the understanding the changes that need to be made to the platform and implementing them.platform and implementing them.

The Internet has created new possibilities for interaction The Internet has created new possibilities for interaction between people and sophisticated ways to manage between people and sophisticated ways to manage information. It is now our challenge to use these abilities information. It is now our challenge to use these abilities to seek effective solutions to the intergroup conflicts to seek effective solutions to the intergroup conflicts around the world.around the world.

httphttp://://wwwwww..cybeingcybeing..netnet//intergroupintergroup//indexindex..htmhtm

Thank youThank you

yairah@idc.ac.ilyairah@idc.ac.il