Images and portrayals of groups in
the mass media reinforce our automatic tendency to interpret information in a
stereotypical way, even if we are not aware of it. Therefore the media only
exacerbates the problem of prejudice and discrimination, making it harder to
eliminate the problem entirely.
I do believe that the way we
process new information is somewhat automatic, such as with stereotypes that
have already been embedded in our minds. The media plays a big role in all of
this, as we are subject to a 1,000-3,000 media images per day, as discussed in class. The media affects anyone
no matter who you are; endorsers or non endorsers of stereotypes. It is how we
work against them that can make a difference.
Question to the class: Have you ever found yourself drawing
conclusions about a social group, even if you did not agree with the automatic
stereotype? If yes, have you found it hard to work around the stereotype once
they’ve been activated?
GUILTY! I unfortunately draw conclusions about others all the time. When you meet someone, automatically put them in a box and realize they aren't at all what you thought (or they don't fit into the stereotype you assigned for them) you're shocked. Then you include them in your ingroup- but that's the thing, only that one person is there as an exception to the rule. The fact that the stereotype has been broken doesn't negate it- it stays in the recesses of your mind until you need to use it again and if need be, you make another exception. The stereotype needlessly stays around regardless of these "exceptions" to the rule.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! We have grown up with these stereotypes, and perhaps these things just can't be unlearned. I find it pretty awful to see someone as an exception, especially when someone else sees you as the exception. It will take a lot of time to disregard these pre-embedded stereotypes which have structure our society for such a long time.
ReplyDelete