Latinos in Media, Character Depictions and Social Representation of

Portrayals of Latinos (and diverse groups in general) in the media play a meaningful role in the development of social perceptions regarding Latinos, particularly among audience members with little or no real-world contact with them. These perceptions ultimately can influence a range of societal outcomes, including prejudice and discrimination, as well as policy decisions. Accordingly, it is important to systematically document these media depictions and examine the effects of exposure on audiences. Notably, both the quantity and the quality of these portrayals have been implicated in the outcomes associated with exposure. Specifically, these characterizations (a) speak to perceptions of group standing and status, (b) define norms of treatment and expectations about interethnic contact, (c) prompt cognitive and emotional responses that govern interethnic interactions, and (d) ...