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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Post-Movie Subliminal Measurement (PMSM), for Investigating Implicit Social Bias
Published on: February 29, 2020
The subtle transmission of race bias via televised nonverbal behavior
Max Weisbuch1, Kristin Pauker, Nalini Ambady
1Department of Psychology, Tufts University, 490 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA. max.weisbuch@tufts.edu
Abstract:
Compared with more explicit racial slurs and statements, biased facial expressions and body language may resist conscious identification and thus produce a hidden social influence. In four studies, we show that race biases can be subtly transmitted via televised nonverbal behavior. Characters on 11 popular television shows exhibited more negative nonverbal behavior toward black than toward status-matched white characters. Critically, exposure to prowhite (versus problack) nonverbal bias increased viewers' bias even though patterns of nonverbal behavior could not be consciously reported. These findings suggest that hidden patterns of televised nonverbal behavior influence bias among viewers.
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