“With Great Power Comes Great Impressionability”: A Study of the Relation between Stereotypes and Superheroes

Abstract

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.

A Rites of Passage Counseling Group: Black Panther as a Metaphor of Strength and Resiliency for Young Black Males

“…However, as mentioned beforehand, for BIPOC populaces there is a lack of representation of characters that look, talk, and think like them (Dogan et al, 2022). Since the creation of the US comic book industry in the 1930s, while slow, there has been an increase in racial representation (Van Vleet et al, 2023). That said, even when included, depictions of Black CBCs had a long history of distorted stereotypes, as illustrated by their names and origins.…”

“…Racially charged monikers such as Dr. Voodoo, Black Lightning, coupled with histories mired in drugs, gangs, and crime was the norm. A further issue, mirroring the idea of critical mass, if a Black CBC did exist, they had to be representative of an entire culture (Van Vleet et al, 2023). Originating from physics, critical mass entails having an adequate representation of people, normally from an underrepresented population (Maes et al, 2021).…”

“…According to Nama (2009), due to self-induced limited interactions and exposure, many white male comic book readers perceive BIPOC persons through the restricted lens of fiction. The resistance to change may predicate on an unwillingness to modify their existing attitudes towards BIPOC CBCs, as they are more comfortable with status quo caricatures (Nama, 2009;Van Vleet et al, 2023) Thus, while oftentimes thought of as for youth, CBCs may influence people at younger ages, but the impacts appear to be long-lasting (Dogan et al, 2022).…”