Alexis Tan

Native American Stereotypes, TV Portrayals, and Personal Contact.

This study tests hypotheses derived from extremity-complexity and stage theories of stereotyping which predict that frequency of contact with a minority group leads to knowledge which then leads to positive group evaluations. We also test hypotheses from learning theories of behavior which predict that evaluations of contact with minority groups determine group evaluations. The hypotheses are tested for direct personal contact and vicarious contact via television. We administered questionnaires to white college students to measure the contact variables and stereotypes of Native Americans. Results show strong support for the learning hypotheses, but not for extremity-complexity theories of stereotyping. Evaluations of first contact as pleasant or unpleasant, frequency of contact, and evaluations of TV portrayals as negative or positive predict stereotyping. Implications for stereotyping theories are discussed.

Value acceptance in adolescent socialization: A test of a cognitive‐functional theory of television effects

Our analysis of Anglo American, Native American, and Hispanic adolescents confirms several predictions derived from a cognitive‐functional theory of televisions socialization effects. The major predictions that learning and functionality evaluations of observed values lead to acceptance were supported for each of the three ethnic groups. As the theory predicts, adolescents accepted values observed in television when they recognized them (a measure of learning) and when they evaluated the values to be important in “being successful” in the United States (a measure of functionality). Perceived realism of television and total television exposure did not predict value acceptance.

Television use, stereotypes of African Americans and opinions on affirmative action: An affective model of policy reasoning

This paper proposes and tests an affective model of policy reasoning with television use as a first stage variable in a heuristic causal chain. We predict that TV use leads to affect which then leads to opinions on related issues. We test the power of the model to explain how citizens make up their minds regarding government policies on affirmative action, with stereotypes of African Americans as the second stage, affective variable. Data from White college students indicate that there was good fit (non‐significant chi‐squares) for the model. The paths explaining the most variance were those from perceived negative TV attributes to stereotypes, and stereotypes to opinions. Perceptions of negative TV portrayals predicted negative stereotypes, which predicted opposition to affirmative action policies. Implications for media use and heuristic reasoning models are discussed.

Assimilation and Contrast Effects in the Priming of Asian American and African American Stereotypes through TV Exposure

This study applied theoretical propositions of the assimilation and contrast perspectives of social psychology to investigate the effects of exposure to TV portrayals of Asian Americans on judgments regarding Asian and African Americans. Experimental participants exposed to TV-mediated messages reinforcing the Asian American “model minority”‘ stereotype were more likely to positively evaluate Asian Americans and to negatively evaluate African Americans than participants exposed to messages countering the “model” stereotype or to a control stimulus. Exposure to the “model” reinforcement also led to disagreement with affirmative action.

Stereotypes of African Americans and Media Use Among Chinese High School Students

Little research has examined stereotypes of American racial minorities held by people living abroad. This study attempts to fill this gap by surveying Chinese high schools students to find out their stereotypes of African Americans, their sources of information about Americans in general, and whether stereotypes were related to media use. The results were mixed: Use of Chinese media sourcesled to positive stereotypes of African Americans, and use of American media sources led to negative stereotypes. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Changing Negative Racial Stereotypes: The Influence of Normative Peer Information

This study proposes and tests a model of stereotype change based on social influence theories of opinion change. The model emphasizes the importance of the social environment, including peer groups and social roles, in the formation and maintenance of stereotypes. We focus on peer groups, and test the potential influence of normative peer information on stereotype change. Two hypotheses were tested: (H-1) Subjects presented with positive peer group stereotypical opinions about African Americans will have more positive stereotypes about African Americans compared to subjects presented with no information; and (H-2) Subjects presented with positive peer group stereotypical opinions about African Americans will have more positive racial attitudes in general compared to subjects presented with no information. A one factor, two-group experiment provided support for the first hypothesis but not for the second one. It was concluded that peer groups could influence stereotypic beliefs. People adjust their stereotypes to conform to beliefs of peer groups. However, this influence does not extend to general racial attitudes.This study proposes and tests a model of stereotype change based on social influence theories of opinion change. The model emphasizes the importance of the social environment, including peer groups and social roles, in the formation and maintenance of stereotypes. We focus on peer groups, and test the potential influence of normative peer information on stereotype change. Two hypotheses were tested: (H-1) Subjects presented with positive peer group stereotypical opinions about African Americans will have more positive stereotypes about African Americans compared to subjects presented with no information; and (H-2) Subjects presented with positive peer group stereotypical opinions about African Americans will have more positive racial attitudes in general compared to subjects presented with no information. A one factor, two-group experiment provided support for the first hypothesis but not for the second one. It was concluded that peer groups could influence stereotypic beliefs. People adjust their stereot...

American TV and Social Stereotypes of Americans in Taiwan and Mexico

*The United States continues to be the major exporter of television programs to the rest of the world. In 1983, imported programs constituted about one-third of total programming in more than 70 countries. The United States was the source of about three-quarters of imported programs in Latin America, 44% in Western Europe, and 33% in Asia and the Pacific.! Most programming from the United States is entertainment although some educational programs are also exported. To many foreign audiences, American television is the only or main source of information about American culture and people. It is important therefore to understand how American television is perceived by its foreign audiences, and to determine the images of Americans that, American programs are projecting abroad. This study analyzes the relationship between exposure to American television programs and the social stereotypes of Americans held by adult audiences in two countries where American programs are readily available-Taiwan and Mexico.

Influence of Television Use and Parental Communication on Educational Aspirations of Hispanic Children

This study provides evidence that frequent viewing of American television and positive parental communication lead to higher educational aspirations among Hispanic children. The influence of American television may be to provide a contextual foundation for learning (e.g., general familiarity with the predominant culture) in American schools that goes beyond the learning and adoption of Anglo-American values. Results of the study suggest that future research should focus on parental communication, television viewing, and educational aspirations among Hispanic children.

A Cognitive Processing Model of Information Source Use and Stereotyping: African-American Stereotypes in South Korea

This study proposes a cognitive processing model to explain that stereotypes are the result of a two-way interaction between receiver evaluation of the valence of accessed information from the media, and receiver evaluation of the realism and believability of the information. This model is applied to analyze American media use and stereotyping of African-Americans among 378 high school students in South Korea. Findings partially support the proposed model: positive media portrayals perceived to be real and believable result in positive stereotyping, while negative media portrayals perceived to be real and believable result in negative stereotyping. Respondents perceived that messages disseminated by the American media were somewhat realistic and believable, and that American media portray African-Americans negatively.

Media Reports of Olympic Success by Chinese and American Gold Medalists: Cultural Differences in Causal Attribution

Our study examines media reports of attribution of success by American and Chinese gold medalists at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Broadcast interviews were selected from official websites of NBC from the United States and CCTV from China. In addition, news reports from Chinese and American print media were selected through the Access World News database between August 8, 2008 (start of the Olympics) and August 31, 2008 (1 week after the closing ceremony). Results show that Chinese athletes, as reported by both Chinese broadcast and print media, attributed success to situational factors such as support and encouragement from socially important others, societal motivation, and national pride. American athletes were reported by American media to attribute success to dispositional factors such as personal characteristics and self-motivation. These results suggest that individual accounts of success as reported in the media are consistent with cultural norms and values.