Comparing the Roles of Positive and Supportive Intergroup Contact on Social Cohesion and Social Change: Theoretical Extensions and Practical Implications

A common approach to building social cohesion involves programming that fosters contact between social groups. However, some scholars are wary of this approach, suggesting that instead of seeking to promote improved attitudes and greater cohesion between groups through contact, efforts should first focus on addressing and achieving greater social equality and change. In light of these debates, the present review will compare and contrast two types of intergroup contact-positive contact and supportive contact-in terms of their short- and long-term implications for social cohesion and social change. We then highlight the importance of these implications for practitioners to consider when designing contact-based programs, and we offer recommendations for future research and practice to maximize the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes and minimize the potential for unintentional harm. What is the significance of this article for the general public? Contact programs that bring together members of different groups (e.g., on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion) are often implemented to foster social cohesion in diverse societies. In this article, we highlight that it is not only important to create spaces for discussion of cross-group commonalities when implementing contact programs but also important for the groups to discuss group differences in power and status to foster sustainable social cohesion and social change.