Intergroup Interaction In The Internet Age

Social identity performs a crucial and unavoidable role in human's daily interactions,which may lead to the long-lasting misunderstanding,prejudice,and even conflicts between different groups.However,the Social Contact Theory proposed that effective and frequent intergroup contact could reduce prejudice,and facilitate intergroup relations.And based on this theory,mass communication researchers suggest that the mediated parasocial interactions via consuming traditional mass media content could have the similar effects of altering the attitudes towards members of an outgroup.Currently,the Internet age and rapid technology development have provided more opportunities for frequent intergroup contact,which may strengthen its effects on facilitating intergroup relations.Therefore,starting from one popular Chinese Internet reality show,Qi Pa Shuo,the thesis examined whether the diverse and open media content featuring several Chinese LGBT individuals could reduce people's prejudice towards the whole community,and whether intergroup relations formed through social media could alter audiences' stereotypes,and provide a new opportunity to assist intergroup relations.This study used the quantitative research method,and surveyed over two hundred people.Through data analysis via SPSS,the results showed that nowadays the Internet did offer the Chinese LGBT community a new platform for diverse presentations,and frequent watching and interacting through computers correlated with positive attitudes towards gays and lesbians.Besides,the social contact through computer-mediated communication reflected the previous face-to-face social contact with the sexual minority group.Data analysis demonstrated that people who has more LGBT acquaintances in real life has more interests in intergroup interactions on social media,which indicated that the Internet may just simply strengthen the previous attitudes towards the outgroup.In conclusion,to validate the effects of intergroup social contact in current Internet era,appropriate conditions,such as institutional supports,and harmonious social and culture environment,are indispensible.