Valuing diversity: an undervalued mediator of intergroup contact

Valuing diversity and intergroup contact predict less prejudice and discrimination, yet theirrelationship deservescloserattention. There is some evidence that valuing diversity and intergroup contact are associated, butit has not been tested whether the established effects of contact come about through changes in valuing diversity. We address thisin two studies(total N= 2,835)that consider valuing diversity as a mediator of intergroup contact. They show that valuingdiversity mediates the relationships of intergroup contact withprejudice, bystander intervention intentions,policy supportand approach intentions.Our results increase the understanding of pathwaysfrom intergroup contact to intergroup relations and offer a lever that contact interventions can target.