- Findings diverge from contact theory.
- Intimacy is not that important–having Black acquaintances has the same effects on Whites’ racial attitudes as having Black friends. Either form of contact has limited effects.
- In general, Whites must have a Black friend(s) and Black acquaintance(s) to impact their racial attitudes.
- Having Black friends or acquaintances has almost no effect on Whites’ racial policy views.
- 2/3 -3/4 of whites who have Black good friends and Black acquaintances oppose increasing government attempts to promote racial equality.
- The authors find support for the tenet contact theory that says interracial contacts should take place between status equals to be effective. However, the findings suggest that equal status between Whites and their Black friends does not make them ‘equals’ but instead offsets the status differential that is based on race.