Communicated Stereotypes, Attitudes, and Intended Accommodation of Appalachians

ABSTRACT

The study illuminates intergroup cognitions and intended communication towards Appalachians. American MTurk workers’ (N = 252) open-ended responses illuminated stereotype content of “backwards,” “uneducated,” “poor,” “mountain dwelling,” “self-reliant,” “kind,” and “prejudiced,” corroborating non-Appalachians’ closed-ended responses that Appalachians are deemed moderately competent and warm. The previous contact with an Appalachian yielded no significant differences in “attitudes towards Appalachians” scores. Intended (non)accommodations towards Appalachians commonly included “no adjustments,” with a variant array of overaccommodations (e.g. talking slower) and avoidance that either invoked or enforced stereotypes. Results may inform future testing and enhancement of intergroup and interpersonal communication with and about Appalachians.

KEYWORDS:

• Appalachian people
• intergroup contact
• stereotypes
• attitudes
• communication accommodation theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine E. Rittenour

Dr Christine E. Rittenour (Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009) is an associate professor of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. She studies intergroup processes, often within and/or resulting from family dynamics.

James P. Baker

Dr James P. Baker (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2019) is a professor of Communication at Bakersfield College. His primary area of research is focused on instructional communication, paying close attention to effective teaching practices that influence students’ motivation and learning.

Katherine B. Burgess

Katherine B. Burgess (M.A., West Virginia University, 2019) is a local Appalachian and a Training Administrator and Communications Coordinator at American Electric Power. During her graduate programme, she studied stereotypes, intergroup communication, and activism through social media.

Kathryn E. Shields

Kathryn E. Shields (B.A., Fairmont State University, 2013) is currently working as a curriculum developer at the National White Collar Crime Center in Fairmont, WV, where she specializes in youth cyber safety, trauma-informed approaches to elder fraud, and intelligence-led policing. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna and a life-long resident of Appalachia.

Lawrencia B. Okai

Lawrencia B. Okai (MPA/LGSW, West Virginia University, 2017) is a Ph.D. candidate at the Division of Design and Community Development at West Virginia University. Her research is on international students' challenges in West Virginia University.