Despite burgeoning evidence for the effectiveness of intergroup contact on prejudice reduction, relatively less is known about how much individuals' internal control and active choice is involved in the formation of intergroup contact. Through four correlational studies (N_total = 1043, Study 1 in Cyprus and Studies 2–4 in Turkey), we investigated the construct of ‘contact volition’—the extent to which one engages in intergroup contact deliberately. Studies 1–3 showed that intergroup contact perceived as primarily intentional and pursued by the active choice of the self (volitional contact) was associated with greater intimacy and positivity and thereby more positive attitudes, compared to contact that is primarily based on external/situational conditions (contingent contact). Study 4 showed that contact quantity was associated with more positive attitudes and behavioral tendencies through greater intimacy and positivity, only when contact was volitional. Findings contribute to the recently emerging research literature on motivated contact behavior that can help maximize the effectiveness of contact.

中文翻译：

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我真的要搞联系吗？意志作为群体间接触的新维度

尽管有越来越多的证据表明群体间接触对减少偏见的有效性，但人们对群体间接触的形成中涉及多少个人的内部控制和主动选择的了解相对较少。通过四项相关性研究（N_总计 = 1043，塞浦路斯的研究 1 和土耳其的研究 2-4），我们调查了“接触意志”的构建——一个人有意参与群体间接触的程度。研究 1-3 表明，与主要基于外部/情境条件的接触相比，被认为主要是有意的并由自我主动选择（意志性接触）所追求的群体间接触与更大的亲密感和积极性相关，从而产生更积极的态度(偶然接触）。研究 4 表明，只有当接触是自愿的时，接触数量才能通过更大的亲密和积极性与更积极的态度和行为倾向相关联。研究结果有助于最近出现的关于有动机的接触行为的研究文献，可以帮助最大限度地提高接触的有效性。