Changing first impressions: The effect of a short‐term initial encounter in a multicultural classroom

This study partially confirms Barna's (1985) expectation that the classroom setting provides a notable exception to outcomes usually expected as the result of interaction between strangers. At an early meeting in the term, two diverse groups of students were randomly divided into dyads. Both groups responded to an attitudinal questionnaire. The experimental group also engaged in a short interaction, while the control group remained silent. Both groups again then responded to the questionnaire. A multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) on the responses tabulated from the two questionnaires revealed that the factor identified as compatibility was maintained, while the factor identified as attraction was significantly increased.

Key terms:

• Intercultural relationships
• attraction
• multicultural education
• classroom communication
• uncertainty reaction.