How images work: An analysis of a visual intervention used to facilitate a difficult conversation and promote understanding

Abstract

This study centers on an intervention that uses visual methods to structure conversations among teachers about their undocumented Latino/Latina immigrant students living in the US. Given negative perceptions of undocumented immigrants and cultural misunderstandings, recent demographic shifts have challenged many communities, and presented issues especially relevant to majority-culture teachers who teach immigrant students. We describe an innovative intervention methodology that incorporates photographs with facilitated discussion using Visual Thinking Strategies to promote awareness, empathy, and understanding. This study uses qualitative data to identify the ways in which images function to facilitate difficult discussions; to determine the relationship between images, facilitated discussion, and attitude shifts; and to determine whether such attitude shifts are schema changes. Findings show images effectively engage participants in discussion, elicit openness and reflection, and increase empathy. Indications of schema change derive from participants' descriptions of shifts in awareness, perspective-taking, attitude change, and more complex thinking about Latino/Latina immigrants.

Outcome Results From Yo Veo

“…The images, captions, and discussions seemed to raise teachers' awareness about the life experiences of Latino/Latina immigrant families and elicited empathic emotional connections. Findings also indicated shifts in attitudes among some teachers and motivation to interact with Latino/Latina students and parents in more sensitive and understanding ways (Chapman et al, 2014a). Taken together, findings from our qualitative study and these two pilot studies indicate that the visual approach to professional training aimed at facilitating reflection and conversation used in Yo Veo was effective in influencing educators' attitudes, knowledge, and behavior regarding Latino/Latina immigrants; however, the effects may be moderated by the school context.…”

“…At School 1, qualitative data were collected and analyzed, which has been published elsewhere (Chapman et al, 2014a). These findings indicated that the images initially engaged the teachers in the story of the immigrant child and her family as depicted in the photography series.…”

“…attitudes that professionals hold regarding a population group considered ''less than'' or ''outsiders'' (Chapman, Hall, Colby, & Sisler, 2014a;Chapman, Hall, & Sisler, 2014b;Haidt, 2001).…”

Understanding Visual Literacy: The Visual Thinking Strategies Approach

“…A qualitative study from the social work field, conducted at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, examined an intervention in which VTS was used in diversity training for teachers (Chapman et al 2013). The researchers looked at both "schema change" and how images function in catalyzing dialogue.…”

Innovation in social work research

“…For example, of the seven full articles published in Issue 4 (2014), two papers used visual methods in their studies. Chapman et al (2014) used photographs to examine the ways in which images function to facilitate difficult discussions and can be used to stimulate shifts in attitudes. In the second paper, Moshoula Capous Desyllas (2014) describes the use of photovoice with sex workers.…”