@article{236,
  keywords = {self-efficacy, distinctiveness threat, imagined contact, intergroup similarities, mutual intergroup differentiation},
  author = {Maria Ioannou and Miles Hewstone and Ananthi Ramiah},
  title = {Inducing similarities and differences in imagined contact: A mutual intergroup differentiation approach},
  abstract = {<p>To enhance the prejudice-reducing effects of imagined contact we investigated a novel form of imagined contact ({\textquotedblleft}balanced similarity{\textquotedblright}) which emphasized both similarities and differences between the ingroup(er) and the outgroup(er). Experiment 1 compared balanced similarity with conditions inducing only differences or only similarities. {\textquotedblleft}Balanced similarity{\textquotedblright} led to more positive outgroup attitudes; its differences with the {\textquotedblleft}high similarity{\textquotedblright} condition were mediated by reduced distinctiveness threat, whereas its differences with the {\textquotedblleft}low{\textquotedblright} similarity condition were mediated by higher perceived intergroup similarity. Experiment 2 compared the {\textquotedblleft}balanced similarity{\textquotedblright} imagined contact scenario with the {\textquotedblleft}standard{\textquotedblright} (positive) imagined contact scenario (Crisp, Stathi, Turner, \&amp; Husnu, 2008), and found that both conditions promoted equally favourable attitudes that were significantly more positive than in the control condition. However, only the {\textquotedblleft}balanced similarity{\textquotedblright} imagined contact condition differed from the control condition on intergroup anxiety and contact self-efficacy. The {\textquotedblleft}balanced similarity{\textquotedblright} condition also had an indirect effect (via self-efficacy) on positive action tendencies towards the outgroup. We discuss the utility of {\textquotedblleft}balanced similarity{\textquotedblright} imagined contact, especially where contact is limited and conflict is present.</p>
},
  year = {2015},
  journal = {Group Processes \& Intergroup Relations},
  volume = {20},
  number = {4},
  pages = {427{\textendash}446},
  publisher = {SAGE Publications},
  doi = {10.1177/1368430215612221},
}