Yvonne Damian

Lee, B., Farrell, C., & Link, B. (2004). Revisiting the Contact Hypothesis: The Case of Public Exposure to Homelessness. American Sociological Review, 69(1), 40-63.

Yvonne Damian word count:598

This article studied the pertinence of Contact Theory between the racial group the person views as being associated with and other racial group they are being exposed. The study used three methods in addition to prior methods, such as:  In addition to examining face-to-face exposure they examined many types of in-groups exposed to the out-group, labeled bad.  The other method used, examined different attitudes and outcomes.  And thirdly, mixing community settings anticipating future lowered racism.  All research discovered exposure showed changed attitudes in favorable directions as anticipated.  Also, their primary study measured the homeless growing population size, media exposure of their unfortunate situations, and policy treatment; thus developing moments of exposure and affecting viewpoints indirectly. This suggests Contact Hypothesis expanded exposure had success in changing stigmatisms rather than narrowed versions.  Expansions allowed knowledge about other racial groups replacing ignorance, which creates stereotypes and fear. The method used was quantitative analysis which 1500 random people completed telephone survey, nationally representative of the U.S.  The dependent variable was attitudes about homelessness[yD1] .  The study examined why people had positive attitudes about homelessness and others had more negative attitudes.  The main independent variable studied exposure to the homeless population and demographics in relativism about homelessness.  They used fourteen exposure measures relating to interaction and information about homelessness.  They examined blaming the homeless vs. society and who viewed them as dangerous and lazy. Results showed exposure, demographics, observation, interaction, and membership (if they, themselves were ever homeless); these measures shaped the attitudes about homelessness.  Overexposure influenced a negative attitude toward homelessness and people with low exposure reflected same negative attitude.  African American's had the most exposure so the contact theory only worked on white population. AA were overexposed to homelessness and developed a negative attitude whereas, whites had a more positive result.  

 

Balistreri, K. (2016). A Decade of Change: Measuring the Extent, Depth and Severity of Food Insecurity. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 37(3), 373-382.

Since the recession of 2008 food insecurity hasn't changed even though the economy has improved.  The study (independent variable) measured the severity and depth of food insecurity within the ethnicity and races which are low-income, with, or without children.  Finding's showed severity and depth rapidly increased in households without children.  Also, non-Hispanic White household's w/o children had steeper increased depth and severity of food insecurity across ten years, yet had a lower prevalence rate.  Lastly, non-Hispanic Black units with or w/o children were most underprivileged in low income areas.  Factors that influence unchanged food insecurity are unemployment rate, spike in food prices, and other goods, necessities, and services.  This changed who is experiencing higher prevalence, depth, of food insecurity.  Stating Hispanic and Blacks were affected more than Whites in the Great Recession by losing a greater percentage of wealth. The dependent variable were factors influencing and sustaining food insecurity despite improving economy ie, loss of job and fluctuating income. Food insecurity has been linked with poor quality of life, decreased levels of physical health, and different health diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in adults. Children's health had poor prognosis for anemia, asthma, and linked with cognitive and academic development delays; behavioral, anxiety, and aggression are increased.  The method used was a random 3-time period (2001-3, 2006-8, 2011-13) evaluated early 2000, time around the recession, and time after recession from The Current Population Survey (CPS) Food Security Supplement (FSS).  To ensure household were used once adjacent years were used.  The study concluded U.S families never improved economically since The Great Recession.  Food insecurity never returned to pre-2008 because of inflation and elevated food pricing.  It's important to acknowledge 1 million childless adults are likely to stop receiving SNAP benefits, which reduces U.S food insecurity; yet states are returning to 3-month limit.