The study indicated also that self-reported racial attitudes, no matter how prejudiced or enlightened, had no impact on participants' ability to correctly identify the race of a criminal suspect. This suggests that Whites may not realize the degree to which deeply imbedded stereotypes tamper with their memories.
"The stereotyping of Blacks as dangerous or criminal is a bias that can result in tragic consequences," Oliver says. "Given the prevalence and consistency of this stereotype, there is little doubt that its existence is a reflection of a great number of social and political variables.
"However, Americans' reliance on news for information about crime points to the need for more extensive explorations of the role the media may play in creating or sustaining these negative attitudes."
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