Annabelle Bass

One way to reduce the learned stereotypes that result from biased media coverage is interracial contact, which produces positive effects when individuals of different races interact in an environment that is non-competitive and is conducive to sharing cultural information (Allport, 1954; Mancini, Mears, Stewart, Beaver, & Pickett, 2015; Tropp & Barlow, 2018). Research has shown that a racialization of crime effect exists, in which media reporting of crimes is biased towards covering crimes that are violent and involve a person of color, leading to Blacks being depicted as a “prototype” for crime (Eberhardt, Goff, Purdie, & Davies, 2004; Gilliam & Iyengar, 2000; Mancini et al., 2015). It is the purpose of this study to address the relationship between racial stereotypes of criminality and the effects of intergroup contact, in regards to perceptions of sentencing decisions in the judicial system. Study participants will be drawn from a national online sample (expected n=100) of White Americans, ages 18+. To examine Whites’ perceptions of criminality and racial bias, as well as judgements of sentencing decisions, participants will view fictitious criminal case records (White, Black, and race-unspecified criminal offenders), and complete measures of interracial contact. We expect that those who have had less interracial contact will make more negative sentencing decisions of racial outgroup members. This work can add to our understanding of how interracial contact can impact the sentencing decisions of accused offenders.

Annabelle Bass is a first-year M.S. student in the Psychological Sciences Department at William & Mary. She holds a B.A. in Psychological Science and Criminology from Central Connecticut State University. Her research interests broadly include social justice and diversity issues, as applied to the criminal justice system. Specific interests include research topics concerning intergroup contact as well as bias and prejudice.