Group size, group status and dimensions of contact as predictors of intergroup attitudes

In a large nation-wide probability sample of majority and minority groups in two countries (in Finland and Sweden), more positive intergroup attitudes were, as expected, associated with higher status, more intergroup contact and higher familiarity of contact partner. Supporting predictions, smaller numerical group size was associated with more negative intergroup attitudes only when amount of contact was controlled for. In addition, group size and group status interacted such that the high status majority and the low status minority held the most positive intergroup attitudes, and familiarity of contact partner had more positive effects on intergroup attitudes when the contact partner was typical of the outgroup. However, typicality of contact partner did not moderate the effect of contact on attitudes.