The Same Old Story: Cultivation of the Warrior Stereotype of American Indians

Authors

  • Laurel R. Davis-Delano Springfield College
  • Renee V. Galliher Utah State University
  • Joseph P. Gone Harvard University and Harvard Medical School

Keywords:

Native Americans, American Indians, stereotypes, mass media, cultivation theory

Abstract

Although representations of American Indians in mass media are rare, when depicted they are portrayed in a consistent stereotypical manner, especially as bloodthirsty warriors and noble Indians from the past. We used a cultivation approach, surveying 903 White Americans, to explore whether greater reported exposure to 6 media types and genres was associated with the endorsement of 5 stereotypes. We found that more reported exposure to television, books, social media, news, and sports media was associated with greater endorsement of the warrior Indian stereotype. More exposure to social media was associated with more endorsement of the noble Indian stereotype and less endorsement of the casino and degraded Indian stereotypes, and more exposure to sports media was associated with less endorsement of the degraded Indian stereotype. We discuss our findings in relation to cultivation theory, settler colonial theory, and the phenomenon of ostensibly positive stereotypes, as well as their implications for American Indian Peoples.

Author Biographies

Laurel R. Davis-Delano, Springfield College

Professor of Sociology 

Renee V. Galliher, Utah State University

Professor of Psychology

Joseph P. Gone, Harvard University and Harvard Medical School

Professor of Anthropology and Professor of Global Health & Medicine

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Published

2023-07-14

Issue

Vol. 17 (2023)

Section

Articles

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