Is Contact Theory Still Valid in Acute Asymmetrical Violent Conflict? A Case Study of Israeli Jewish and Arab Students in Higher Education

Considering possible criticisms of contact theory's validity for reducing negative attitudes in cases of intractable, complex intergroup conflict, this study examines the attitudes and intergroup relations of Israel's Jewish majority and Arab minority by comparing two university campuses that differed in Arab student enrollment rates and levels of religiosity. Participants were 100 Jewish and 100 Arab students. Blue University, with 20% Arab students, offered more opportunities for intergroup contacts than did the predominantly Jewish Orange University (1.9% Arab enrollment). As expected, findings showed more positive attitudes and relations between Jewish and Arab students at Blue University than at Orange University, thus corroborating the validity of contact theory in a major conflict situation. In operative terms, our findings suggest that in places wherein there exist intractable conflicts, it is worth establishing higher education campuses where students from the different groups can study together. Public Significance Statement Our article shows that contact between conflict groups can decrease negative attitudes, not only towards individuals but also towards the group to which they belong. Meaning, contact theory remains valid, despite the criticism it has sustained over the years. In addition, it is important to note that the research population was university students. As the first meeting place for Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel, universities can make a major contribution to wider society in promoting mutual activities between the groups, which can provide an opening towards establishing social relations grounded on mutual respect, avoidance of stereotypes and prejudice, and significant narrowing of social distance.