The extended intergroup contact hypothesis: State of the art and future developments

In this chapter we provide an overview and a discussion of recent developments of the extended contact hypothesis, one of the most prominent indirect contact strategies for the reduction of prejudice. In the first part of the chapter we briefly review the original extended contact hypothesis. Then, after presenting the theoretical accounts that underlie its effects and the relevant mediating processes, we review evidence of its effectiveness. In the second part of the chapter we focus on the most significant recent developments that can further our understanding of extended contact processes; the first is the distinction between extended contact and vicarious contact; the second is the consideration of a social network perspective to better capture the dynamics that explain extended contact effects. Finally, we indicate some further avenues for future research.