Final answer:
Increased positive intercultural contact can be seen in diverse global workplaces and through initiatives such as diversity training which aims to reduce prejudice and enhance teamwork. Academic exchanges and community psychology practices also showcase the benefits of intercultural interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of increased positive intercultural contact can be observed in the global workplace. Companies around the world now have suppliers, employees, and customers from diverse cultures, and it's not unusual to find a company with a supply chain that extends from Korea to Honduras, and staff located across the United States, China, South Africa, and other nations. Workers may have varying religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, but diversity training programs aim to bridge and understand these cultural differences to enhance teamwork.
An influential meta-analysis by Pettigrew and Tropp (2006) demonstrated that intergroup contact tends to reduce prejudice, particularly when groups work together under certain conditions. These include having equal standing, shared goals, cooperation, and institutional support for the interactions. Utilizing these strategies can result in enhanced collaboration and reduced prejudice at work.
In addition to workplace settings, positive intercultural contact can also be facilitated in academic exchanges among different cultures, as evidenced by the historical scholarly exchange between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures. Community psychology practice also highlights the formation of respectful and ongoing relationships between communities and organizations, emphasizing the importance of sensitivity to local cultural values and fostering positive interactions.