Citation

Buliga E, Macinnis CC. Can. J. Behav. Sci. 2022; 54(3): 213-224.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1037/cbs0000302

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Contact between different groups (i.e., intergroup contact) is well supported as a means to reduce negative intergroup attitudes. It is important, however, to explore outcomes of intergroup contact beyond intergroup attitudes, especially outcomes tied to social change such as policy support. We examined the relationship between intergroup contact and support (or lack of support) for cannabis-related policies and penalties specific to immigrants. We examined this in Canada, where the recent legalization of cannabis led to new policies with varying degrees of public support. Among Canadian undergraduates, we found that more contact with immigrants was associated with lower support for relatively harsh cannabis-related penalties for immigrants. In particular, having higher-quality contact with immigrants was associated with greater opposition to such penalties. Additionally, those higher in right-wing ideology were more supportive of penalties for outgroup members (immigrants) than ingroup members (Canadians in general). Future directions and potential implications of the findings are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

Cannabis; Ideology; Immigration; Ingroup Outgroup; Intergroup Dynamics; Marijuana Legalization; Policy Making; Social Change