Improving Intergroup Relations focuses on emerging research directions for intergroup relations, a field which has been influenced and inspired by the life contributions of Thomas F. Pettigrew. The book explores the many ways in which the work of Dr. Pettigrew has fostered new developments in the field, with each chapter presenting both Dr. Pettigrew's landmark work as well as the most recent and relevant advances. The chapters conclude with the thoughts of leading scholars on practical strategies and future directions for combating intergroup conflict. The final chapter explores the implications of intergroup research for the promotion of social change.

Ulrich Wagner is Professor of Social Psychology and Director of the Center for Conflict Studies at Philipps-University Marburg, Germany.

Linda R. Tropp is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Psychology of Peace and Violence Concentration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States.

Gillian Finchilescu is Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Colin Tredoux is Professor of Psychology, and Head of Department, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Table of Contents.

1. Editor's Introduction: Ulrich Wagner (Philipps-University Marburg), Linda R. Tropp (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), Gillian Finchilescu (University of the Witwatersrand), and Colin Tredoux (University of Cape Town).

2. Thomas F. Pettigrew: Building on the Scholar-Activist Tradition in Social Psychology: Frances Cherry (Carleton University).

Part I: Exploring the Causes of Prejudice and Discrimination:.

3. From Lewin and Allport to Pettigrew: Modern Practical Theories: Susan T. Fiske (Princeton University).

4. Rediscovering the Emotional Aspect of Prejudice and Intergroup Behavior: Eliot R. Smith (Indiana University, Bloomington).

5. The Role of Threat in Intergroup Relations: Walter G. Stephan (Emeritus, New Mexico State University), C. Lausanne Renfro (New Mexico State University) and Mark D. Davis (University of West Alabama).

Part II: Functions of intergroup contact in improving intergroup relations:.

6. From When to Why: Understanding How Contact Reduces Bias: John F. Dovidio (Yale University), Samuel L. Gaertner (University of Delaware), Tamar Saguy (University of Connecticut), and Samer Halabi (Zfat College).

7. The Role of Trust in Intergroup Contact: Its Significance and Implications for Improving Relations Between Groups: Linda R. Tropp (University of Massachusetts, Amherst).

8. The Impact of Direct and Extended Cross-Group Friendships on Improving Intergroup Relations: Christiana Vonofakou (University of Oxford), Miles Hewstone (University of Oxford), Alberto Voci (University of Padua), Stefania Paolini (University of Newcastle), Rhiannon Turner (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom), Nicole Tausch (University of Oxford), Tania Tam (Legal Services Research Centre), Jake Harwood (University of Arizona) and Ed Cairns (University of Ulster).

Part III: Intergroup Relations and Reflections on One's Own Group Membership:.

9. Ingroup and Outgroup Contact: A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Cross-Ethnic Friendships, Dates, Roommate Relationships and Participation in Segregated Organisations: Colette van Laar (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Shana Levin (Claremont McKenna College), and Jim Sidanius (Harvard University).

10. Extended Contact and Including Others in the Self: Building on the Allport/Pettigrew Legacy: Stephen C. Wright (Simon Fraser University), Arthur Aron (State University of New York, Stony Brook), and Salena M. Brody (Collins County Community College).

11. Deprovincialization: Social Identity Complexity and Outgroup Acceptance: Marilynn B. Brewer (Ohio State University).

Part IV: Focusing on social context in improving intergroup relations:.

12. Intergroup Contact, Social Context and Racial Ecology in South Africa: Gillian Finchilescu (University of the Witwatersrand) and Colin Tredoux (University of Cape Town).

13. Social and Political Context Effects on Intergroup Contact and Intergroup Attitudes: Ulrich Wagner (Philipps-University, Marburg), Oliver Christ (Philipps-University Marburg and University of Bielefeld), Hinna Wolf (Philipps-University Marburg), Rolf van Dick (Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt), Jost Stellmacher (Philipps-University Marburg), Elmar Schlüter (Philipps-University Marburg), and Andreas Zick (University of Bielefeld).

14. Positive Intergroup Relations: From Reduced Outgroup Rejection to Outgroup Support: Kai Jonas and Amelie Mummendey (both University of Jena).

Part V: Intergroup Relations as a Commitment to Social Change:.

15. Feeling Relative Deprivation: The Rocky Road from Comparisons to Actions: Heather Smith (Sonoma State University) and Iain Walker (Murdoch University).

16. Bridging Individual and Social Change in International Conflict: Contextual Social Psychology in Action: Herbert C. Kelman (Emeritus, Harvard University).

17. School Desegregation Research: Outcomes, Historical Trends and Issues Affecting its Usefulness in Policy and Practice: Janet Ward Schofield (University of Pittsburgh).

Part VI: Final Reflections:.

18. Reflections on Core Themes in Intergroup Research: Thomas F. Pettigrew (University of California, Santa Cruz).