A video intervention for every straight man: The role of preattitudes and emotions in vicarious-contact effects Author Sabine Preuß, Melanie Steffens Publication Year 2021 Type Journal Article Abstract Research has shown that vicarious contact can help to reduce prejudice. We tested the effect of a controlled, video-based vicarious-contact intervention on straight men’s (implicit and explicit) attitudes toward gay men. Findings of Experiment 1 (n = 99 German participants) failed to show direct effects but were in line with the idea that negative (situation-specific) emotions mediate the intervention effect. Experiment 2 (n = 108 U.S. participants) expanded findings: straight men with antigay preattitudes reported less negative intergroup emotions toward gay men after watching the vicarious-contact video (compared to the control condition); and less negative intergroup emotions were related to more positive attitudes toward gay men. For straight men with positive preattitudes, findings were in line with the hypothesis that positive intergroup emotions toward gay men were the relevant mediator. We discuss the moderating role of preattitudes to explain processes underlying vicarious-contact effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Keywords emotions, (attitudes toward) homosexuality, (indirect) intergroup contact, prejudice reduction, vicarious contact, attitudes, intergroup dynamics, intervention, male homosexuality, prejudice, Negative Emotions Journal Group Process. Intergroup Relat. Volume 24 Pages 921–944 Date Published 09/2021 Type of Prejudice/Bias Sexuality Country Germany United States Method Lab Setting College/University Community Google ScholarBibTeX