Epilogue

Abstract

The final part of this book has proposed various strategies by which the activation of stigmatising stereotypes might be reduced in viewers. These strategies include perspective-taking, surprising category combinations, shared ingroup categories, common ingroup categories, dual identity and decategorisation (see Figs. 9.1–9.3). These strategies constitute spectatorial perceptions that are prompted by equivalent narrative and audio-visual representations of outgroup characters. On an intergroup level, these perceptions include categorisation, dispositional attribution, evaluation and the formation of attitudinal affects; on an interpersonal level, they include dispositional attribution, situational attribution and self–other overlap (alignment). In terms of reducing outgroup stigma, these perceptions are intended to create a sense of common interest, a sense of equal status, a sense of outgroup variability (heterogeneity), a reduced likelihood for the activation and application of stigmatising stereotypes and the reduction of social distance. All of these factors support the de-othering of the other and improve attitudes towards the outgroup.