Impact of Visual Stimuli on Intergroup Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a music video that modeled intergroup interaction on reducing bias towards outgroup members. 40 undergraduate students from Arizona State University were part of this study. Participants completed the PANAS (Positive And Negative Affect Schedule); measures of openness; a distraction cognitive task; attribution scenarios that asked for trait ratings, reason ratings, and point allocation for reasons; and the IAT (Implicit Association Test). Results indicated no significant increase in positive affect, increase in openness, or reduction of the ultimate attribution error. However, a significant effect emerged for the interaction between watch and listen for negative affect and the watch only group for the IAT. Participants who both watched and listened to the video showed a decrease in negative affect scores. Participants who only watched the video demonstrated an increased automatic preference towards European Americans (an automatic preference toward European Americans is typical). The results indicated desirable outcomes of reduced negative affect, showing the potential for music videos showing intergroup contact and recategorization in influencing affect.