Date of Award
3-2018
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts - Psychology
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Nathan Sparkman
Second Advisor
Dr. Sarah Savoy
Third Advisor
Dr. Scott Drury
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Megan Condis
Abstract
Fictional superheroes possess characteristics that can be identified with on a human level (e.g., gender and race); however, their superhuman nature may lead them be evaluated as a distinct outgroup. The current study attempted to assess how racial and gender attitudes may affect perceptions of superheroes and how other participant characteristics may impact ratings. The current study found that gender and race influenced evaluations of perceived attributes of superhero drawings. Figures depicted with an unnatural skin tone were rated less favorably. Although, there were no differences between ratings of Black and White heroes, Black heroes were consistently rated higher, particularly when compared to the alien group. Female heroes were rated less strong and more intelligent; however, males were rated higher in leadership. The results of the current study provided evidence that minority group members may be subtyped and that gender stereotypes may persist even in the evaluation of superhuman characters.
Repository Citation
Sanchez, Emily A., "Influence of Stereotyping and Prejudices on Perceptions of Superheroes" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 161.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/161
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
