THE CONTRIBUTION OF DOMAIN-SPECIFIC STEREOTYPES TO ETHNIC SOCIAL DISTANCE

The existence of domain‐specific ethnic stereotypes and their subsequent effect on social distance towards minority groups is examined in a survey of 208 Dutch secondary school students. Social distance and 13 trait attributions towards five different ethnic groups were measured in four basic social domains: as neighbours, colleagues, classmates and (marital) partners. The first hypothesis was that domain‐specific ethnic stereotypes exist. The second hypothesis was that different models are needed to describe the relation between stereotypes and social distance in different domains. It was found that domain‐specific ethnic stereotypes exist and predict social distance in the concomitant domains fairly well. 1991 The British Psychological Society