The Negative and Positive Influences of Threat and Nonthreat Media Messages About Immigrants

Authors

  • Chanjung Kim University of Arizona
  • Jake Harwood University of Arizona
  • Jun Xiang University of Arizona

Keywords:

threat message, stereotypes, intergroup bias, immigration policy

Abstract

We examined (a) the effect of threat messages (media messages suggesting that an outgroup is threatening to an ingroup) versus nonthreat messages (messages refuting the outgroup’s threat) on intergroup bias, (b) the mechanisms underlying that effect, and (c) whether nonthreat messages would result in smaller effects of negative stereotypes on intergroup bias, compared with threat messages. We found that exposure to a threat message about immigrants (compared with a nonthreat message) resulted in more support for punitive immigration policies. This occurred via two sequential mediators: feelings of anger and contempt toward the outgroup, and outgroup derogation. The effect of negative stereotypes on intergroup bias was smaller in the nonthreat message condition than the threat message condition. We discuss implications for the effects of minority news portrayals.

Author Biographies

Chanjung Kim, University of Arizona

Graduate studentDepartment of CommunicationPh:  520-730-3973

Jake Harwood, University of Arizona

ProfessorDepartment of Communication520-797-4327

Jun Xiang, University of Arizona

Graduate Student

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Published

2018-02-14

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Section

Articles