Vol.:(0123456789) Social Justice Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11211-018-0314-9 1 3 Intergroup Contact Theory: Recent Developments and Future Directions Ashley Lytle 1 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2018 The contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954) is one of the most infuential and long-stand- ing theories of prejudice reduction. A vast body of research deriving from inter- group contact theory suggests that negative attitudes stem in part from lack of per- sonal and positive contact between groups (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew, 1998). Because social exclusion and stigmatization can occur in intergroup contexts, Allport (1954) proposed four optimal conditions for prejudice reduction: common goals, coopera- tion, equal status between groups, and institutional support. Research accordingly fnds positive intergroup contact as an efective means for reducing negative atti- tudes toward individuals with disabilities, mental health issues, racial/ethnic minori- ties, sexual minorities, and more (Davies, Tropp, Aron, Pettigrew, & Wright, 2011; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). Intergroup Contact Theory: Recent Developments and Future Directions edited by Loris Vezzali and Sofa Stathi provides an extensive overview of intergroup con- tact theory, the empirical evidence supporting the tenets of intergroup contact the- ory, and directions for future research. Divided into ten chapters, leading intergroup contact researchers describe landmark studies as well as current research, provide constructive critiques of the existing research, and ofer ways to advance the feld with suggestions for future research. The benefts of intergroup contact theory are illustrated, while contributors simultaneously elucidate the issues and concerns that warrant additional research and consideration. For scholars of intergroup contact theory, individuals passionate about social justice, and policy makers interested in applying this research to real-world contexts, this book is an essential read. * Ashley Lytle alytle@stevens.edu 1 College of Arts and Letters, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA