Reframing Africa’s Image

Positive Information Outperforms Stereotype Negation in Changing Explicit Negative Evaluations

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23311565
AutoresAshley Hahn (0000-0002-2232-4976, University of Bath), Thomas Moran (0000-0002-4681-0725, Open University of Israel), Ilerioluwa Akinnola (University of Florida), Iniobong Essien (0000-0003-0277-7908, Leuphana University of Lüneburg), Marleen Stelter (0000-0001-6546-0946, FernUniversität in Hagen), Faith Adeyemi (University of Bath), Colin Tucker Smith (0000-0002-8132-9988, University of Florida)
Año2026
Fecha de publicación2026-07-21
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSocial Psychological and Personality Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1948-5506 • E-ISSN: 1948-5514
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/19485506261465709
OpenAlexW7169836219
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas28

People often counteract unwanted stereotypes by stating they are false, known as stereotype negation, but is this effective? The current work applies evaluative learning theories to Western portrayals of Africa, which are dominated by negative stereotypes around poverty, backwardness, and harsh nature. In four preregistered experiments, U.S. participants read statements about Africa that were framed either as positive facts (PFs) or as negated negative stereotypes (NNSs). Compared to controls, PFs reliably reduced preferences for Europe over Africa in general evaluations (Studies 1–4) and behavioral intentions (Studies 3–4). NNSs also reduced preferences but inconsistently and less strongly. Process analyses showed that PF-NNS differences were driven by lower perceived positivity of NNSs than PFs (Studies 2–4) and that NNSs showed lower relationships with preferences than PFs (Studies 1–3), suggesting that negations may be processed less deeply. These studies demonstrate that reframing through positive information is more effective than negating negative stereotypes.

Attribution · Cognitive reframing · Negation · Negative information · Social cognition · Stereotype (UML) · Stereotype threat · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Cultural Differences and Values · Social and Intergroup Psychology