Negative stereotypes about intellectually gifted individuals prevail among teachers and in society although empirical research has debunked them. They are also dominant in mass media representations of gifted individuals such as newspaper reports. The present study investigated whether stereotypic representations in newspaper articles contribute to the stigmatization of gifted individuals and whether nonstereotypic, evidence-based representations might help destigmatize gifted individuals. Two randomized controlled studies with N = 431 and N = 432 university students, respectively, were conducted. In both experiments, the stereotypic representation caused more negative attitudes toward gifted individuals (d = 0.86/0.81), whereas the evidence-based representation caused more positive attitudes (d = −0.54/−0.58), compared with a control group. Quality of previous relationships with gifted persons moderated both effects to some extent; however, both effects were quite robust against potential moderators. Results indicate that the media should be aware of their influence on recipients’ attitudes. Giftedness researchers should more actively join in the public debate to counteract stigmatization of intellectually gifted individuals.

中文翻译：

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大众媒体是否塑造了关于天才人士的刻板印象？关于偏见报纸报道污名化效应的两个实验

尽管实证研究已经揭穿了他们，但在教师和社会中普遍存在对智力天赋的负面刻板印象。他们还在大众媒体对有天赋的人的表现中占主导地位，例如报纸报道。本研究调查了报纸文章中的刻板印象是否会导致天才个体的污名化，以及非刻板印象、基于证据的表征是否可能有助于消除天才个体的污名。分别进行了 N = 431 和 N = 432 大学生的两项随机对照研究。在这两个实验中，与对照组相比，刻板印象导致对天才个体的更多负面态度 (d = 0.86/0.81)，而基于证据的表示导致更多积极态度 (d = -0.54/-0.58)。先前与天才人士的关系质量在一定程度上缓和了这两种影响；然而，这两种效果对潜在的调节器都非常有效。结果表明，媒体应该意识到它们对接受者态度的影响。天才研究人员应该更积极地参与公共辩论，以抵制对天才个人的污名化。