Indigenous Biologists and Culture Frames: Effects on Stereotype Perceptions and Conservation Policy Support in Environmental News

Abstract

Indigenous scientists represent a growing cohort of expert sources for news stories about environmental issues and policies, but the effects of these sources on support for conservation policy and stereotype perceptions of Indigenous peoples remain uncertain. In a 2 (Source: Tribal, State) × 2 (Emphasis: Biodiversity, Culture) between-subjects experimental survey (n = 624), we found that the inclusion of tribal wildlife biologists as sources in environmental news increased overall public perceptions of Indigenous competence. We also found frames emphasizing the cultural values of conservation resulted in greater support for conservation policy than emphasizing the importance of biodiversity regardless of source.