| Abstract: | Blau's (1977) macrostructural theory builds on the assumption that social structure affects intergroup relations. This relationship depends upon the opportunity for intergroup contact. Previous tests of Blau's theory, however, treat opportunity as an unmeasured construct. P *, as a measure of opportunity for intergroup contact, not only enables a test of that assumption, but also merges general sociological principles with specific middle-range ones like those urban sociology develops.
Findings here modestly support Blau's opportunity for contact assumption. Serendipitously, the analysis demonstrates that heterogeneity asymmetrically influences opportunities for intergroup contact between groups of varying size. Because increasing heterogeneity presupposes an increase in the minority proportion and a decrease in the majority, it enhances majority and suppresses minority opportunities for intergroup contact. This suggests that Blau's hete ogeneity theorem, which assumes a symmetrical effect on contact, needs some qualification. |
