Authors and Corporations: | |
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In: | Communication Research, 44, 2017, 6, p. 793-816 |
published: |
SAGE Publications
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Media Type: | Article, E-Article |
Physical Description: | 793-816 |
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ISSN: |
0093-6502
1552-3810 |
DOI: | 10.1177/0093650214565919 |
published in: | Communication Research |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Collection: | SAGE Publications (CrossRef) |
<jats:p> Tests were performed to learn whether exposure to news about crimes committed by dark-skinned criminals increases impulsive facial-threat perceptions of meeting dark-skinned strangers in a subsequent situation (media-priming hypothesis), but only when the facial displays are ambiguous (ambiguity hypothesis). The assumption is that news stereotypes prime the “dark-skinned criminal” stereotype, which, in turn, influences subsequent face processing. An experiment with two groups was used to test this prediction. Participants allocated to the treatment group ( n = 53) read about crimes committed by dark-skinned criminals. In contrast, for the control group ( n = 52), cues indicating skin color were not mentioned at all. As predicted, the treatment increased the perceived facial threat of dark-skinned strangers, but only when the facial displays were ambiguous. Given the importance of the face in social interaction, I discuss important, real-world implications for recipients as well as for journalists and media organizations. </jats:p> |