Question

Topic: Stereotypes in Media

Watch 4 hours of television during the next week, preferably during evening hours when more commercials appear or analyze four Web sites with advertisements. Record the number of representatives from different cultural and microcultural groups (ethnic, racial, gender, age, social class, etc.) that appear in the commercials and document the role that each person plays.

Answer the following questions:

How many different groups were represented?

What groups were most represented? Why do you think this is so?

What groups were least represented? Why do you think this is so?

What differences, if any, were there in the roles that members of the various groups played? Did one group play more sophisticated or more glamorous roles than others?

In how many cases were people depicted in stereotypical roles (e.g., African Americans as athletes or women as homemakers)?

What stereotypes were reinforced in the commercials?

What do your findings suggest about the power of the media and its effect on identity formation and intercultural communication?

Answer each of the questions below in essay format. Write your responses in complete sentences. Your essay should be at least three to four well-developed paragraphs (about 400‒500 words) in length and fully encompass your responses to each of the seven (7) items noted below.

Answer 1

Ans. 1- There were 5-6 different groups represented e.g. Politicians, Business persons, Players, Actors and actresses etc.

Ans. 2- The group of politician represented most because the effect of politics spread widly and media always shows those things which can increase TRP, so that politicians always get the first place on television and websites too. The politics is most prominent way to influence society at that way we can get familiar with politicians.

Ans. 3- The group of social reformers get the less presentation on media because they talk about peace, social changes and public interest, the thing what we read in books and schools. At this time the social changes and reforms get less attention but some reforms that influence the society most can get the front line on television like same sex marriage law etc.

Ans. 4- the role of every group always define but the way of representation play crucial role to get the space in media, some groups talk about social values on the other hand some talk about business and economics, other talk about war and aggressiveness. The attention of viewers depends on the values of presentation and burning and current topics for example now days everyone is talking about gun culture and environmental changes.

Ans. 5- stereotypical roles can be intentionally or unknowingly, they depends on the values of society and cultural views, one thing can be stereotype for a person and cannot be for other. The role of media on that way play important part, support and opposition belong to cultural phenomena.

Ans. 6- In advertising industry stereotyping is the way to get more attention so females show belongs to beauty and physical while male shows belong to politics and other male dominant programs. Army man talks about patriotism, adults talk about rights etc.

7 Power of media – The media is part of society and our daily life always get influenced by media, from social reforms to war and politics to commercials, everywhere we can get the role of media.

Media transform our thinking as well, effects our like and dislike. Stereotyping in media can influence the society not only the way of thinking but also way of acting, media also build images and power too. So we can say that the role of media is increasing day by day.