How simple interventions can encourage better intergroup relations
A short video on the inclusion of migrants can reduce prejudice for at least three months, social psychologist Feiteng Long found in his PhD research. However, people experience physical stress when their views on migration are more conservative than the prevailing group opinion. ‘We need to encourage people, not confront them.'
Feiteng Long is interested in the role of social norms in reducing prejudice towards immigrants. ‘Interethnic relations lie at the heart of how we live together in diverse societies. When people are segregated and live in parallel worlds, they often underestimate each other’s good intentions. A supportive social environment that encourages us to share spaces, stories or goals can foster empathy and solidarity.’
Simple interventions can significantly reduce prejudice
The social psychologist conducted experiments with first-year psychology students from both the Dutch and English-taught bachelor programmes. ‘Students from 38 nationalities took part in the group from the English-language programme, with German and Turkish students forming the largest subgroups.’ He followed them over time to observe the development of their friendships.
Half of the participants were shown short videos in which fellow students shared their perspectives on diversity and inclusion. ‘Even a brief video could reduce prejudice towards other ethnic groups, and the effect was still present three months later. So, simple tools can already make a big difference. You don’t need experts to deliver the message—people are most influenced by those around them. Policymakers and NGOs can create platforms where these voices can be heard.’
Confrontation with a more progressive group opinion leads to stress
Long also asked participants to talk about the future of relations between the majority group and migrants while he measured cardiovascular indicators to assess their stress levels. The amount of blood the heart pumped per minute and the dilation or constriction of their blood vessels indicated whether participants experienced a positive feeling of challenge or a negative feeling of threat.
Long explains: ‘I discovered that when public opinion shifts in a progressive direction – towards more openness and inclusivity – progressive individuals show an adaptive stress response (challenge), whereas conservative individuals show a maladaptive stress response (threat). They experience the situation as overwhelming.’ He attributes this to a sense of being unsupported when social norms clash with deeply held personal beliefs. ‘If we want sustainable change, we need to recognise and address these underlying psychological pressures – not just treat the symptoms.’
Don’t confront, but encourage instead
These findings led to an important insight for Long and his supervisors. ‘Anti-prejudice efforts by policymakers and educators must foster a supportive rather than confrontational atmosphere. Simply telling people they’re wrong won’t change anything. Worse, it can backfire. Attitude change is complex, but it’s not impossible.’
And don’t ignore inequality
Improving interethnic relations isn’t just about reducing prejudice or maintaining superficial harmony, Long emphasises. ‘It also requires tackling structural inequalities such as historically unbalanced power dynamics, systematically unequal access to resources and opportunities, and the absence of supportive policies...’
Long learnt this from an online study in which he examined attitudes and willingness to protest for greater equality among privileged majority groups and disadvantaged minority groups. 'Norms that emphasise harmonious inter-ethnic relations can ironically reduce some people’s willingness to take collective action for equality. So, while striving for a cohesive society is valuable, we must be careful not to sacrifice justice and equality in the name of harmony.’
Feiteng Long defended his PhD thesis ‘Group Norms in Interethnic Relations: Implications for Intergroup Attitudes, Collective Action, and Stress’ on 20 May.