Issue framing and group composition in a deliberative discussion

Abstract

In a deliberative democracy, stakeholders from diverse backgrounds come together and represent the various views within a society. Contact theory posits that interaction with outgroups reduces prejudice and improves relations. In attempting to bring together both ideas in a study, a 2 (ethnically homogeneous/mixed group composition) x 2 (group interests/common interests issue frame) experiment on deliberative groups was conducted. 235 undergraduates from a Singaporean university of Chinese (N = 193) and Malay ethnicity took part in the study. Regression analyses showed that higher quality of prior contact with minorities and lower intergroup anxiety was related to more positive attitudes toward minorities. ANOVAs conducted showed that group composition had significant effects on the dependent variables (attitudes toward ethnic minorities and attitudes toward discussion) while the framing of the issue being discussed had no significant effect. In the end, we explain how contact theory is applied to deliberative discussions and how pre-existing attitudes can predict post-deliberation attitudes.