The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time

by Yascha Mounk

Building on Allport’s initial intuitions, and analyzing hundreds of studies, psychologists gradually confirmed that four key conditions help to ensure that intergroup contact has positive effects. Each of these needs to apply to the particular situation in which they encounter each other, even if it is not (yet) true in the relations between these two groups more broadly: Equal status: Members of different groups need to enjoy equal status, for example because they are teammates or colleagues working in a similar capacity. Common goals: Members of different groups need to have common goals, such as winning a match or completing a group project. Intergroup cooperation: Members of different groups need to actively cooperate to accomplish their common goals, for example by teammates passing a ball to each other or colleagues collaborating on a presentation. Support from authorities and customs: Members of different groups need to be encouraged to get along by the relevant authorities, such as a team’s coach or a workplace’s boss.