122 DEBORAH KINGHAN
disconfirming experience may prompt distrust (Rothbart and Park 1986). Having
analysed survey responses of Northern Irish students, Tam et al (2009) found that
increased out-group trust mediated the relationship between intergroup contact as
well as reducing negative behaviours of avoidance and aggression towards out-group
members. They also found an increase in positive approach behaviours. Without prior
trust, neither frequent intergroup contact nor the optimal condition of cooperation are
easily established. Additionally, the pursuit of differing goals by each group, or even
the perception that common intergroup goals are not prioritised, can cause distrust. If
institutional support and intergroup cooperation are not modelled by schools,
churches or the government, then others may be discouraged from engaging in
intergroup contact and cooperation and therefore discouraged from trust-building
situations.
The situation in Northern Ireland is complex, as it appears that the relationship
between the optimal conditions of contact and the effects of contact are reciprocal.
The optimal conditions or lack thereof influence the outcome of contact and therefore
the effect upon intergroup anxiety and trust. However, intergroup anxiety and trust
may also prevent the facilitation of optimal conditions. Fortunately, direct intergroup
contact is not the only method for improving this situation. If direct contact cannot be
fully or successfully achieved, previous research advocates the use of indirect contact
– for example, imagined (Crisp and Turner 2009) or extended contact (Cameron et al
2006). Imagined contact involves creating mental imagery of a positive encounter
with an out-group member, which can generate similar prejudice-reducing effects as
when experiencing actual intergroup contact (Turner, Crisp and Lambert 2007). These
include positive intergroup attitudes (Turner and Crisp 2010), out-group trust (Turner,
West and Christie 2013), reducing anxiety towards the out-group – by imagining
positive outcomes from the encounter (West, Holmes and Hewstone 2011) – and
increasing willingness to engage in actual intergroup contact (Husnu and Crisp 2010;
Turner and West 2012). Previous research also indicates imagined contact is
successful with children (Cameron et al 2011; Vezzali et al 2012). As yet, there is a
dearth of research into imagined contact in the context of Northern Ireland.