Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The present study continues the trend toward investigating the relationship between mass media and intergroup relations that has been developing over the last few years. Research and data have emerged, which indicate media use is related to ingroup perceptions of the intergroup context. However, little is known about the relationship between media and outgroups’ perceptions of the intergroup context. The current study attempts to advance this line of research by investigating the relationship between African Americans’ media activity and their perceptions of Caucasian and Hispanic vitality. Two hypotheses are offered based on Cultivation Theory, and a set of research questions are asked based on the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) approach. Results indicate the U&G approach is more robust than Cultivation Theory in predicting African Americans’ vitality perceptions of Caucasian and Hispanic vitality.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Three experiments examined the role of particular identities, personal values and accountability concerns regarding intergroup emotions and pro-social behavior towards disadvantaged and stigmatized groups in terms of a Social Identity (Tajfel & Turner, 1986) and Self Categorization approach (Turner, 1985; Turner, Hogg, Oakes, Reicher, & Wetherell, 1987). The key finding was that, even though a particular political identity might (de)legitimize helping towards such groups, both emotional and behavioral responses are moderated by the salience of such an identity. Further, people with a left-wing political preference offered more prosocial emotions and behavior than people with a right-wing preference, especially when this feature of social identity was made salient. Also, the presence of a significant ingroup member influences emotions towards a disadvantaged outgroup significantly.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Explicit and implicit measures of closeness towards racial groups are compared. Subconsciously people feel closer towards racial outgroups than they are willing to admit in a survey ('norm of ingroup favoritism').

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Public opinion toward Muslims and the Islamic faith has become increasingly important not only because of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the ongoing American war efforts in the Middle East, but also because of the growing presence of Muslims in the American citizenry. However, very little is known about how the American public feels about Muslims and Muslim Americans or the factors shaping such feelings. In this paper, we use data from a nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press and from the 2004 National Election Study to assess the opinions that Americans hold of both Muslims and Muslim Americans and to examine the variables shaping such evaluations. We find that partisanship and ideology play a relatively minor role in determining these attitudes, while evaluations of Muslims and Muslim Americans are shaped substantially by evaluations of other cultural "outgroups," such as Atheists, gays and lesbians, African-Americans, and even Jews.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Applying a uses and gratifications and social identity gratifications approach, the present study explores Asian American television viewing. Specifically, Asian Americans report on the quantity of television they watch, what shows they watch, why they watch, and whether their uses are related to their perceptions of Caucasian vitality. The data reveal that using television for entertainment and escape/relieve boredom were the most important television uses for Asian Americans. At the same time, these two uses were significant predictors of how vital Asian Americans perceived Caucasians. Although selecting and avoiding television for ethnic identity gratifications were not important relative to other gratifications, television selection for identity gratifications was important to Asian Americans who highly identify with their ethnic group.