Broockman Kalla 2016

Abstract and Introduction

Abstract:

• A Research Report on the reduction of intergroup prejudice, focused on Transphobia, doing so through the use of active perspective-taking. Brockman and Kalla wanted to test the success of using the method of door to door canvassing (a direct interpersonal contact) in reducing transphobia by having Participants be exposed to both transgender and cisgender people and engaging in conversations with them that revolved around trans rights. The participants were then contacted months later to test if their views had remained the same after the conversation had taken place. In the end of the study it was found that there did seem to be a connection between interpersonal contact and transgender views since the study found that transphobia went down after having a conversation with a transgender person and it also stayed down in the many months after the conversation had taken place. On the other hand, no big difference was found when cisgender people were having the conversations.

Structural Analysis:

• Attention on the power of spreading awareness and reducing transphobia

Cultural Analysis:

• Challenging traditional beliefs

Hypothesis on how active perspective-talking can reduce transphobia views

1. Changes political views
2. Reduces prejudice
3. Shares different perspectives

Key Concepts and Ideas:

• Active Processing: additionally called System 2 processing: A form of meta-thinking: In the case of the study, the term "Analogic Perspective-taking" is used to give a term to the concept of "walking in another's shoes."
• Placebo Group: Placebo Group is the study of another group unrelated to transphobia to identify who to contact in order to compare different views and transformation beliefs.
• Influential Theories: Influential theories is the category for why some may have prejudice or transphobic beliefs. This includes factors such as their upbringing, environment, or lack of perspective.
• Perspective-Taking: Broockman and Kalla's concept to overcome prejudice and anti-transgender views. Perspective taking is described as "imagining the world from another's vantage point", the idea is that if you create a space that allows one to walk in another person's shoes that they will be more open-minded. In addition, allows to expand the traditional belief mindset.

Durably Reducing Transphobia: A Field Experiment on Door-To-Door Canvassing

David Broockman and Joshua Kalla conducted an experiment study in South Florida aiming at anti-transgender prejudice. The two tested the effects of intervention and door-to-door canvassing while fostering space to actively listen to all perspectives. Their experiment lasted for 3 months, showing effectiveness and an increase of support with nondiscrimination laws.

Main objective and evidence

Broockman and Kalla introduce the importance of this study is to increase awareness towards transphobia and reduce hate crimes or discrimination against transgenders. They share multiple reasons of why this is important, starting with public health

• Reducing transphobia is a public health priority because those who identify as transgender are 25 times at greater risk of abuse, assault, and suicide. This is due to prejudice and preformed traditional opinions, leading to transgenders receiving inhumane treatment and being dismissed.

• Reducing transphobia is also a public safety concern, as many portray transgender women as perverts and harmful for using the women's bathroom rather than their assigned sex bathroom.

Raising awareness and enhancing individual's perspectives help nondiscrimination laws become implemented and supported more efficiently, while also reducing prejudice opinions.