Stereotyping effect of Black women's sexual rap on White audiences

Author(s): Zillmann, D., Mitrook, M.

Journal/Book: Basic Appl Soc Psychol. 1997; 19: 10 Industrial Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2262. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 381-399.

Abstract: White female and male students were exposed to a set of videos featuring popular music performed by female Black artists. The videos presented either songs of devoted love or rap designed to be sexually titillating. Purportedly, in an unrelated person-perception test, the students then evaluated a series of White and Black women presented in portrait format on slides. A control group performed the person-perception test without prior exposure to music videos. Significant effects of music exposure on the evaluation of Black women, but not on White women, were obtained. Specifically, exposure to rap laden with sexual imagery fostered distinctly unfavorable evaluations of Black women. Following exposure to sexual rap, as compared with exposure to popular romantic music or to no music exposure, the assessment of these women's personality resulted in a general downgrading of positive traits and a general upgrading of negative ones.

Note: Article Zillmann D, Univ Alabama, Coll Commun, 478 Reese Phifer Hall, Box 870172, Tuscaloosa,AL 35487 USA

Keyword(s): ROCK-MUSIC VIDEOS; APPRECIATION; PERSONALITY; PERCEPTION

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