Does Extended Contact Influence Disadvantaged Group Members’ Endorsement of Normative and Radical Collective Action?

Abstract

Friendly cross-group contact can reduce prejudice, but can also undermine collective action by disadvantaged group members. Additionally, extended contact (knowing about a friendship between an in-group and an outgroup member) can reduce prejudice, but little is known about whether it undermines collective action. This research investigates whether the quality and quantity of extended contact with White Americans undermines endorsement of normative and radical collective action among African Americans (N=301) and considers potential mediators (in-group norms, outgroup norms, intergroup attitudes, perceived racial inequality and in-group identification). Extended contact quality had indirect negative effects on radical collective action - knowledge of a closer cross-group friendship was associated with less endorsement of radical collective action mediated primarily by more positive intergroup attitudes towards Whites. Extended contact quantity also predicted endorsement of radical collective action, and both extended contact quantity and quality influenced normative collective action. However, the pattern of indirect effects was more complicated.