Does Touch Bring Us Closer? Exploring the Role of Physical Contact in Intergroup Contexts

IF 2.7 2区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL

European Journal of Social Psychology Pub Date : 2026-04-03 Epub Date: 2026-02-24 DOI:10.1002/ejsp.70061

Soraya Elizabeth Shamloo, Andrea Carnaghi, Elena Trifiletti

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Abstract

The role of physical contact (PC) (e.g., touch) in interpersonal relationships is well documented, yet its effects in intergroup contexts remain underinvestigated. We examine whether positive intergroup physical contact (IPC) enhances perceived closeness with out-group members, measured as inclusion of the out-group in the self (IOS), and test its mediating role in improving intergroup attitudes. In Study 1 (longitudinal; N = 550), PC with foreign peers longitudinally predicted IOS. In Study 2 (cross-sectional; N = 377), PC with people with disabilities was associated with IOS, which in turn was linked to out-group attitudes. In Study 3 (experimental; N = 86), imagined PC with a gay man versus an uncategorized individual increased heterosexual individuals’ IOS with gay men, which in turn improved out-group attitudes. Using multiple research methods and intergroup settings, we show that positive IPC improves attitudes towards the out-group by enhancing experienced closeness with out-group members.

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触摸会让我们更亲密吗？探索身体接触在群体间情境中的作用

身体接触（PC）（如触摸）在人际关系中的作用已被充分记录，但其在群体间环境中的影响仍未得到充分研究。我们研究了积极的群体间身体接触（IPC）是否会增强与外群体成员的感知亲密度，以外群体融入自我（IOS）来衡量，并测试了其在改善群体间态度中的中介作用。在研究1（纵向，N = 550）中，PC与外国同行纵向预测IOS。在研究2（横断面；N = 377）中，残疾人的PC与IOS相关，而IOS又与群体外态度相关。在研究3（实验，N = 86）中，与一名男同性恋者相比，与未分类个体的想象PC增加了异性恋个体与男同性恋者的IOS，从而改善了群体外态度。通过多种研究方法和群体间设置，我们发现积极的IPC通过增强与外群体成员的亲密关系来改善对外群体的态度。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Social Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL-

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

7.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： Topics covered include, among others, intergroup relations, group processes, social cognition, attitudes, social influence and persuasion, self and identity, verbal and nonverbal communication, language and thought, affect and emotion, embodied and situated cognition and individual differences of social-psychological relevance. Together with original research articles, the European Journal of Social Psychology"s innovative and inclusive style is reflected in the variety of articles published: Research Article: Original articles that provide a significant contribution to the understanding of social phenomena, up to a maximum of 12,000 words in length.