Preserving spatial and temporal dimensions in observational data of segregation

Tredoux, Colin; Dixon, John; Underwood, Stephen; Nunez, David; Finchilescu, Gillian

Preserving spatial and temporal dimensions in observational data of segregation

Journal Article

2005

Journal Title

South African Journal of Psychology

Link to Journal

http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/sapsyc

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Recent approaches to the study of intergroup contact have emphasised the need for naturalistic studies and the importance of paying attention to the spatiality of contact. In this article it is argued that it is important to preserve both spatiality and temporality when studying inter-group contact in naturalistic settings. This is not easy to do with existing observational methods, and a novel approach is proposed. Photographs are taken of a public space with a fixed periodicity and vantage point, and with knowledge of the physical layout of the space, three-dimensional, time-marked data points are recorded for each inhabitant. A public space on a university campus was used as a test bed, and data are reported that show it to be very useful, giving fresh insights into the nature of segregation and integration in informal leisure spaces, as well as providing evidence of the importance of taking temporality into account when studying naturalistic instances of inter-group contact.