Can TV shows promote acceptance of sexual and ethnic minorities? A literature review of television effects on diversity attitudes

Until recently, western TV programming rarely featured sexual or ethnic minority members; if present, their representation was mostly negative. Increasingly, though, diverse characters start to play likeable protagonists as well. Thus, television can promote negative diversity attitudes and, at other times, positive ones. The present article reviews and connects theories research from sociology, psychology, media communication studies clarify the role of in formation identify directions for future research. Specifically, two questions are addressed. First, through which processes does influence attitudes? Second, what features shows contribute among viewers, according different effects? Findings indicate that entrench existing echo chamber phenomenon. However, content featuring numerous, likeable, attractive, typical have friendly interactions with rest society attitudes. Future should study openness view characters, examine effects complete video diets, check non-western countries, explore longitudinal investigate constitutes minorities.