Depictions of race/ethnicity in the media and the implications of exposure on ingroup and outgroup audiences.

The current chapter systematically documents the implications of exposure to racial and ethnic depictions in the media, on audiences. To this end, the quantity and quality of portrayals of racial and ethnic groups across U.S. media are detailed, including representations of Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, and Middle Eastern Americans. Next, the empirical evidence demonstrating the effects of exposure to these characterizations, on both members of these groups and non-members, is presented. Whenever possible, attention is devoted to identifying the types of message features and audience characteristics that are likely to produce: (a) damaging intergroup outcomes ranging from cognitions to emotions to behaviors, (b) constructive intergroup outcomes, including prejudice reduction, and (c) harmful or beneficial effects on psychological well-being. An agenda for future research is also discussed, including a call for consideration of multiple and intersecting identities in media effects research.