Stereotypes in Media Communications

1. Stereotypes in Media Communications

2. A stereotype is a “fixed mental image of a group that is frequently applied to all its members.”

3. Most of our knowledge of the universe is experienced indirectly and incompletely, and we tend to compartmentalize this secondhand information to fit it into our preconceived notions about other groups of people.

4. 1. Indians2. Chinese3. Pinoy Films4. Korean Fashion5. Blondes6. Fair-skinned People7. Skinny People8. Old People9. Seamen

5. Sexism and racial and ethnic prejudice are undoubtedly related to the most controversial of our stereotypes.

6. Overweight people are often depicted as slovenly and lazy. The faddish “dumb blond” jokes are used to stereotype a significant portion of the female population.

7. Stereotypes are an economical way of viewing the world. Because individuals cannot personally experience most of the events in which they have interest, they rely on the testimony of others to enrich their impoverished knowledge of the environment.

8. While informing and entertaining, media are powerfully transmitting social values, thus, because of undeniable cultural influence, media practitioners have a moral responsibility to understand the differences between stereotypes and reality and to maintain a steady vigilance against stereotypical portrayals that perpetuate real-world discrimination.

9. Stereotypes are a vital defense mechanism behind which “we can continue to feel ourselves safe in the position we occupy.”

10. The use of stereotypes can also violate the fundamental human values of honesty and sincerity. However, what makes stereotyping such a formidable cultural foe is that stereotypes are frequently based upon reality. Or to state it bluntly, some stereotypes are not entirely false.