Breaking Barriers: How Intergroup Contact Can Reduce Discrimination

Guest: Sergio Mittlaender (FGV Law School in São Paulo and Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy). In this podcast, we explore a fascinating study by Lisa Lenz and Sergio Mittlaender on the effects of intergroup contact on discrimination. Through economic experiments, the researchers investigate how structured interactions between individuals from opposing political groups—Democrats and Republicans—can reduce discrimination, further examining the conditions that are necessary for intergroup contact to be effective. Tune in to discover how this research sheds light on human behaviour and offers valuable insights for policymakers working to foster inclusion, integration, and the reduction of prejudice.