Initial Contact Situation Analysis

The contact situation is best defined as the initial contact that two or more groups may encounter, which can lead to long lasting affects/outcomes in their lives (Healey, 2011, pg. 151). The Noel hypothesis states that there are three segments to the initial contact situation that groups can come to experience; ethnocentrism, competition, and differential of power (Healey, 2011, pg. 152). When the contact between groups are distinguished by all three segments of this hypothesis, it may lead to the establishment of unequal and bias outcomes between the dominant- minority group relations (Healey, 2011, pg. 152). The first feature from Noel’s (1968) hypothesis is ethnocentrism, which can be seen as a universal practice within society (Healey, 2011, pg. 152). Ethnocentric practice involves judging an individual or a group other than your own, based on their personal culture, lifestyles, religious beliefs and and/or racial variance (Healey, 2011, pg. 152). Although ethnocentrism is important in order to maintain particular laws and be able work with other people in society, it cause many negative effects (Healey, 2011, pg. 152). Other than people viewing other groups as different, they can establish the thought of being superior over them, which causes division by categories (Healey, 2011, pg.
Under ethnocentrism, the contact between the Mexican Americans and the Anglo’s was full of negative views (Healey, 2011, pg. 168). The Anglo’s stereotyped them as lazy and the religious differences were not well accepted (Healey, 2011, pg. 168). Under competition, Mexican Americans were not strong and the loss of land could not be prevented (Healey, 2011, pg. 169). Under differential of power, the Anglo’s had the size, leadership, and resource to take what they wanted and be the dominant group (Healey, 2011, pg.