Immigrant perpetrators in the news: A terror management approach to resultant hostility,perceived vulnerability,and immigration issue judgment |
| |
| Authors: | Po-Lin Pan Shuhua Zhou Marceline Thompson Hayes |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA;2. Department of Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | This study found that mortality salience in TV news activated more hostile attitude toward the perpetrators and negative judgment on the immigration issue. Social group difference influenced news viewers’ immigration issue judgment, but did not affect their resultant hostility and perceived vulnerability. More negative attitudes emerged toward the immigration issue when immigrant perpetrators were portrayed negatively in the news. News viewers with exposure to mortality salience in TV news reported more negative toward immigrants. Exposure to mortality-related elements in TV news could lead to social conflicts that were viewed as a severe threat by U.S. government and policymakers. |
| |
| Keywords: | Terror management theory social group difference resultant hostility perceived vulnerability immigration issue judgment |
|
|
