"They're Just Weird ": Cognitive and Affective Mediators of the Association Between Perceived Nonprototypicality of, and Prejudice Toward, Fan Culture

In the present article, we discuss the results of a cross-sectional study assessing prejudice toward fans perceived as having nonprototypical interests. Drawing upon previous research on prototypicality, on the role of negative affect and beliefs in fostering prejudice, and on prejudice directed toward particular fan cultures, we developed and tested a serial mediation model. The model proposes that feelings of disgust and discomfort, along with negative beliefs about fans' ulterior motives and dysfunctionality, mediate the link between a fan culture's perceived nonprototypicality and prejudice toward members of that group. A sample of 290 undergraduates completed measures of each of these variables with respect to 40 different fan cultures. The results support our hypotheses and provide evidence for the proposed serial mediation model. We conclude by discussing the limitations of the study, as well as its practical and theoretical implications for research on fans and prejudice more generally.