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The present multimethod research examines different stereotypes about race and ethnicity via a comic book superhero lens. This study focuses on the ascription of traits to a superhero figure developed specifically for this research, examining differences in trait ascription based on the race and sexual orientation of the hero. A diverse sample of participants (N = 371) were presented random drawings of either White, African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, or Native American superhero images and asked questions about their perceptions of the hero’s traits, character role (hero, villain, and sidekick), powers, and socio-economic status. Additionally, hero sexual orientation was manipulated (Heterosexual × Gay), bringing 12 conditions of hero identity that were randomly assigned to participants in a 6 (Race: White × Black × Latinx × Asian × Arab × Native American) × 2 (Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual × Gay) cross-sectional design. Results indicated that participants ascribed certain traits differently based on the race of the hero as well as how race and sexuality of the hero interacted. Additionally, results supported the use of original, fictional images as a means of examining participant perceptions of race and sexuality. These empirical findings can be helpful in the creation and real-world adaptations of comic book superhero media and understanding effects of comic media on the development and dissemination of stereotypes.

The present multimethod research examines different stereotypes about race via a comic book superhero lens. This study focuses on the ascription of traits to a superhero figure developed specifically for this research, examining differences in trait ascription based on the race and sexual orientation of the hero. A diverse sample of participants (N= 371) were presented random drawings of either White, African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, or Native American superhero images and asked questions about their perceptions of the hero’s traits, character role (hero, villain, sidekick), powers, and socioeconomic status. Additionally, hero sexual orientation was manipulated (Heterosexual x Gay), bringing 12 conditions of hero identity that were randomly assigned to participants in a 6 (Race: White x Black x Latinx x Asian x Arab x Native American) x 2 (Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual x Gay) cross-sectional design. Results indicated that participants ascribed certain traits differently based on the race of the hero as well as how race and sexuality of the hero interacted. Additionally, results supported the use of original, fictional images as a means of examining participant perceptions of race and sexuality. These empirical findings can be helpful in the creation and real-world adaptations of comic book superhero media and understanding effects of comic media on the development and dissemination of stereotypes.

A large body of research has found that individuals’ attitudes toward aging may influence their future health. Previous research has found that age is associated with more negative expectations toward aging. However, it is possible that optimism, or generalized positive expectancies regarding future outcomes may play a role in expectations regarding aging. Optimism has been identified as a key component of successful aging. The purpose of this study was to compare expectations regarding aging among young adult and older adult age cohorts, controlling for optimism, and to investigate the differential relationships between optimism and expectations regarding aging by age cohort. Young adults (n = 130) and older adults (n = 335) completed a survey containing the Expectations Regarding Aging – 12 and the Optimism-Pessimism Scale. Results found that, after controlling for optimism, older adults endorsed more negative expectations regarding aging. Comparison of the correlation coefficients between optimism and expectations regarding aging among age cohorts found that optimism was significantly associated with expectations regarding aging among older adults but not young adults and that this difference was significant. Taken together, the results suggest that older adults have more negative expectations for aging and that optimism may play a key role in older adults’ expectations regarding aging.

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