Open Access

It is well established that positive contact between members of different groups can reduce prejudice. However, there is also evidence that direct contact with advantaged group members can undermine disadvantaged group members' engagement in collective action. Also, considerable evidence shows that effective contact need not be direct. Mere knowledge of cross-group friendships (extended contact) or observing positive contact (vicarious contact) can also reduce prejudice. This raises the question of whether these indirect forms of contact might also undermine collective action. We conducted a mini-meta-analysis of eight unpublished studies, including a range of intergroup contexts and samples, that measured indirect contact with advantaged group members and collective action among disadvantaged groups. We found a small but significant relationship that was consistently negative but varied in size depending on how indirect contact was measured. Contrary to expectation, more indirect contact predicted reductions in normative forms of collective action as strongly as radical forms.

Carmen S. Lienen, Andrea Monika Frisch, Agostino Mazziotta and Anette Rohmann present and analyze the photo voice method as a tool to engage and empower people living in marginalized communities. Photo voice is a community-based action research method that allows clients to visually document their everyday lives, particularly with regards to community struggles over needs, issues and strategies aimed at practical solutions for the community. Regarding the third mission of social work, that is to address social inequality, social justice and social change, the authors argue that the method provides clients with a lifeworld orientation, promotes the development of social workers’ sensitivity to diversity, and strengthens the relationship between clients and providers.