Imagined intergroup contact was introduced as an easy and efficient method of improving the quality of intergroup interactions allowing better prejudice reduction. It has proven effective at improving many intergroup outcomes, however some previous research points to limitations of the method and suggest that perhaps imagined intergroup contact is more effective at reducing certain types of prejudice than others. The Stereotype Content Model posits distinct types of prejudice directed at different social groups based on perceptions of the group members’ warmth and competence. In the current study, I sought to investigate whether imagined intergroup contact works equally well for groups that experience different types of prejudice based on their differences on the dimensions of warmth and competence. Additionally, I examined the duration of the effects of intergroup contact by comparing outcomes both immediately after and one week later. Results indicated that imagined intergroup contact was not successful at creating more positive stereotype perceptions for any groups, regardless of their previous standing on warmth and competence. Unsurprisingly, patterns for intergroup emotions and behavioral tendencies predicated on these stereotype differences were not observed either. However, select behavioral tendencies were higher following imagined interactions with some social groups, indicating that part of intergroup contact’s influence on behavior is independent of its influence on stereotypes and emotions. Furthermore, many intergroup outcomes deteriorated over the period of a week, especially in the control condition. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the theories of both imagined intergroup contact and the Stereotype Content Model.
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