ABSTRACT
Muslims are routinely and distortedly associated with danger and terrorist activity in the media. Such depictions have clear implications for the social behaviors oriented toward this social group, however, explicitly interpersonal media effects of this nature are in need of enhanced examination. In this study, we assess the potential for positive depictions of Muslims to enhance the interpersonal interaction inclinations of consumers, using psychological theory to explore underlying mechanisms (i.e., narrative transportation, perceptions of social stigma, and prejudicial attitudes). Experimental evidence provides general support for our proposed theoretical model. Moreover, findings reveal a process of mediated social dissent wherein consumers’ perceptions of negative societal evaluations about Muslims facilitated more positive personal evaluations. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Olivia Barista, Dominic Faust, and Hannah Hartlieb for their diligent efforts coding thought-listing data.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Julius Matthew Riles (Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri.
Michelle Funk (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Missouri.
Warren Davis (M.A., University of Missouri) is a Ph.D. Student at the University of Missouri.