Interethnic and interracial dating in college: A longitudinal study

Longitudinal data on interethnic and interracial dating were collected from over 2000 students at a large multiethnic university. Results indicated that, controlling for relevant background variables, students who exhibited lower levels of ingroup bias, intergroup anxiety, and group identification before college were more likely to date members of other ethnic and racial groups during college. In addition, controlling for relevant background variables and precollege group attitudes, students who dated outside their group more during college showed less ingroup bias and intergroup anxiety at the end of college, but also felt more pressure not to socialize with or date members of other groups. Some findings varied across ethnic and racial groups. Results are discussed in terms of theories of intergroup contact and interethnic and interracial dating.