Description:
In Northern Ireland research indicates that inter-group contact
is the exception rather than the rule and that when it does take
place it tends to be superficial rather than intimate. Research
suggests that one reason for avoiding intimate contact with members
of the 'other community' is because this has become a recognised
method of avoiding conflict. One probable explanation for this
comes from research carried out in other societies which indicates
that people tend to avoid inter-group contact because such contact
is anxiety provoking. As yet inter-group anxiety is a phenomenon
which has not yet been investigated in a Northern Irish context.
The present project will investigate, by means of a survey, the
phenomenon of inter- group contact among young people in Northern
Ireland. Based on the results of the survey, experimental contact
situations will be set up in order to investigate the best methods
for combating inter-group anxiety in contact groups in Northern
Ireland.
Aims and objectives:
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