Location
University of Windsor
Event Type
Poster Session
Start Date
29-5-2013 10:45 AM
End Date
29-5-2013 11:15 AM
Description
Most Americans depend on media for information regarding Muslims (Nisbet, Ostman, & Shanahan, 2009). The portrayal of Muslims within media is largely negative (Shaheen, 2001). Given the importance of media as a socializing agent, it is important to understand how media might influence the perceptions of Muslims and non-Muslims on several important dimensions. Media portrayals of Muslims as the “enemy” are likely to reduce the acceptance and inclusion of Muslim-Americans within the American national identity by Non-Muslims. This presentation is also likely to influence Muslim Americans’ perceptions of the compatibility or conflict between their two identities. Using the Social Identity Theory and acculturation literature we explore the theoretical reasons why negative media portrayals of Muslims may influence both, the Muslim-Americans’ and NonMuslim Americans’, perceptions of the extent to which Muslim and American identities are compatible or in conflict.
Included in
Influence of Media Stereotypes on Muslim-Americans’ Perceptions of Identity
University of Windsor
Most Americans depend on media for information regarding Muslims (Nisbet, Ostman, & Shanahan, 2009). The portrayal of Muslims within media is largely negative (Shaheen, 2001). Given the importance of media as a socializing agent, it is important to understand how media might influence the perceptions of Muslims and non-Muslims on several important dimensions. Media portrayals of Muslims as the “enemy” are likely to reduce the acceptance and inclusion of Muslim-Americans within the American national identity by Non-Muslims. This presentation is also likely to influence Muslim Americans’ perceptions of the compatibility or conflict between their two identities. Using the Social Identity Theory and acculturation literature we explore the theoretical reasons why negative media portrayals of Muslims may influence both, the Muslim-Americans’ and NonMuslim Americans’, perceptions of the extent to which Muslim and American identities are compatible or in conflict.