Advisor Information
Dr. Angela M. Eikenberry
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 225
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
2-3-2018 11:15 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 11:30 AM
Abstract
International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) use images of the beneficiaries in their fundraising campaigns when soliciting donations. Often these images are negative and stereotype poor as victims and helpless. However, there is little empirical research to understand if such representation leads to stereotyping of the poor and subsequently contributes to racial biases. This paper aims at establishing this empirical link by answering the research question: Does the representation of beneficiaries by INGOs lead to stereotyping and racial biases. The study draws on data analysis of images from the 32 largest INGOs in the United States and experimental survey design to investigate the relationship between the representations of beneficiaries and its effect on the perceptions of donors. The findings suggest that negative/sad images increase explicit and implicit biases score measured by Skin-Tone Implicit Association Test (IAT). These findings have important practical implications as it brings forth the tensions between soliciting donations using negative and stereotypical images by INGOs. At the same time, such representations may run counter the mission of several INGOs of educating donors about hardships and problems faced by the poor living in the developing countries and promoting global social justice.
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Is Poverty Colorblind? Implications of Imagery Used by International Nongovernmental Organizations In the United States
UNO Criss Library, Room 225
International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) use images of the beneficiaries in their fundraising campaigns when soliciting donations. Often these images are negative and stereotype poor as victims and helpless. However, there is little empirical research to understand if such representation leads to stereotyping of the poor and subsequently contributes to racial biases. This paper aims at establishing this empirical link by answering the research question: Does the representation of beneficiaries by INGOs lead to stereotyping and racial biases. The study draws on data analysis of images from the 32 largest INGOs in the United States and experimental survey design to investigate the relationship between the representations of beneficiaries and its effect on the perceptions of donors. The findings suggest that negative/sad images increase explicit and implicit biases score measured by Skin-Tone Implicit Association Test (IAT). These findings have important practical implications as it brings forth the tensions between soliciting donations using negative and stereotypical images by INGOs. At the same time, such representations may run counter the mission of several INGOs of educating donors about hardships and problems faced by the poor living in the developing countries and promoting global social justice.