News Coverage of Immigration: The Influence of Exposure to Linguistic Bias in the News on Consumer's Racial/Ethnic Cognitions

Abstract

This two-study design applies assumptions rooted in frameworks of linguistic intergroup bias to the context of mass media content and effects. First, a content analysis of U.S. newspaper coverage of U.S.-Mexico immigration issues was conducted. The content analysis demonstrated a tendency to characterize undocumented immigrants in abstract and unfavorable language. The opposite was true of language associated with White immigration opponents. Next, an experiment indicated that exposure to abstract news articles resulted in more unfavorable attitudes about Latinos. However, exposure to concrete articles was associated with greater perceived severity of immigration. Both of these effects were moderated by in-group identification.

Keywords:

• Immigration
• Linguistic Intergroup Bias
• Media Effects
• News Content Analysis

Notes

Note: Values within a row with the same subscript are significantly different at p < 0.05, *p < 0.06.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dana Mastro

Dana Mastro (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2000) is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California Santa Barbara.

Riva Tukachinsky

Riva Tukachinsky (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2012) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Chapman University.

Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz

Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2007) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Erin Blecha

Erin Blecha (M.A., University of Arizona, 2009) is Director of Fan Experience & Community Events, Stanford University Athletics.