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- Title
Media stereotypes, prejudice, and preference-based reinforcement: toward the dynamic of self-reinforcing effects by integrating audience selectivity.
- Authors
Arendt, Florian
- Abstract
The media portray various social groups stereotypically, and studying the effects of these portrayals on prejudice is paramount. Yet, audience selectivity—inherent within today's high-choice media environments—has largely been disregarded. Relatedly, the predominance of forced-exposure designs is a source of concern. This article proposes the integration of audience selectivity into media stereotype effects research. Study 1 (N = 1,166) indicated that prejudiced individuals tended to approach prejudice-consistent stereotypical news and avoid prejudice-challenging counter-stereotypical news. Using a forced-exposure experiment, study 2 (N = 380) showed detrimental effects of prejudice-consistent news and beneficial effects of prejudice-challenging news. Relying on a self-selected exposure paradigm, study 3 (N = 1,149) provided evidence for preference-based reinforcement. Study 4's "net-effect perspective" (N = 937) indicated that operationalizing exposure as forced or self-selected can lead to different interpretations of actual societal effects. The findings emphasize the key role played by audience selectivity when studying media effects.
- Subjects
MASS media; STEREOTYPES in mass media; STEREOTYPES; PREJUDICES; SOCIAL groups; SELECTIVITY (Psychology); REINFORCEMENT (Psychology); NEWS audiences
- Publication
Journal of Communication, 2023, Vol 73, Issue 5, p463
- ISSN
0021-9916
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/joc/jqad019