Measuring Implicit Attitudes Toward Racial Stereotypes in Internet Memes Using Facial EMG

Abstract

Because of rapid, global increases in the use of digital technology combined with the ability to share information, beliefs, and ideas instantly, empirical research focusing on these processes is vital. Social media provides researchers with a novel setting for studying social psychological phenomena such as bias and stereotypes. The proposed study will investigate attitudes toward racial stereotypes in internet memes. Participants will view memes conveying white and black stereotypes while implicit attitudes are measured using facial EMG at the corrugator supercilii, the facial muscles involved in frowning. Drawing on social identity threat, implicit attitudes should be more negative when viewing memes depicting in-group stereotypes compared to out-group stereotypes, resulting in increased corrugator activity.