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Category: Project

Description: Individuals exposed to a negative portrayal of an outgroup media figure tend to report an increase in prejudicial attitudes toward the corresponding outgroup. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether a parasocial relationship with a negative outgroup portrayal can reduce these effects. Heterosexual participants filled out a measure of prejudicial attitudes toward sexual minorities, watched a negative portrayal of a sexual minority television character, and completed a second assessment of prejudicial attitudes. They also filled out a measure of the strength of their parasocial relationship with the minority character. Participants reported an increase in prejudicial attitudes after viewing the negative portrayal. Stronger parasocial relationships predicted lower levels of post-test prejudice. These results provide insight into factors that produce and potentially reduce prejudicial attitudes.