...DO STEREOTYPES EVER CHANGE? Many theorists have suggested that stereotyping will be stable as long as the nature of relationship that exists between our group and the stereotyped group is stable (Eagly 1987, Oakes et al., 1994; Tajfel,1981). That is because we construct stereotypes that reflect how we see members of different groups actually behaving, stereotype change should only occur when the relations between the groups change. In addition we generally hold stereotypes that are favorable to our own group in comparison to another group. Unless social conditions shift so that we no longer see in-group favoritism as acceptable, unfavorable stereotypes of groups we are not members of, can be expected to persist. (Spears, Jetten , & Doosje,...
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...Kimberly Smith April 27, 2012 University of Phoenix ETH/125 Instructor: Michael Seller Advantages and Challenges Advantages and Challenges Advantages and Challenges Learning about the social, cultural and economical conditions that affect racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States has helped me better understand the characterizations of minority groups. Being considered a minority myself, I was able to relate and understand to most of the topics that were brought up. What I learned more about my ethnicity (African American) were the different people involved during the civil right movement. I was able to learn who made long lasting impressions during that time. The minority group that I found the most interesting, and enjoyed learning the most about was the Native Americans. I never knew there were all these different organizations that catered specifically to Native Americans. I learned a lot about their culture and views of the world and things they went through and still go through to this very day. It was very eye opening for me. Trends will definitely continue to shape the face of the future of United States. United States is basically considered a melting...
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...characteristics are exaggerated and categorized in order to simplify the interpretation of female characters. These stereotypes fall into three broad categories, those of the Good Housewife, the Scarlet Woman, and the Career Woman, none of which represent a fully mature, fully human form of personality development. In describing these basic categories of women found in the media, researchers have found them to be based on a classic opposition of types. For example, the housewife is characterized as being conservative, loyal, and cooperative, if somewhat out of place in the real world: In addition to the traditionally found housewife stereotype, there exists a strong and quite distinctive stereotype of woman as bunny. Bunny is described as glamorous, good-looking, pleasure-loving, romantic, excitable, passionate, frivolous and sensual... a third stereotype is reserved for women who choose activities which carry them beyond the traditional roles which serve men. These women lose their femininity... (Clifton, McGrath, Wick, l976: 144) In this study, we will compare the treatment of these demeaning stereotypes in several of the media that are not usually considered in sex role studies: contemporary works of art, contemporary popular music, and situation-based television commercials. We will show that each of these media project a false and demeaning image of women's role in society, each in accordance with its sex-based need for stereotyping. Although sex roles in contemporary...
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...Barbie Doll. Perhaps the real mark of "Barbie Doll's" welcome has been the numerous times it has been reprinted and analysed. Appearing in 1973, at the heart of feminism's second wave, "Barbie Doll" embodied the rage many women felt at being sexually objectified and treated as second-class citizens. The poem remains popular in large parts because it continues to represent women's experience. When you read the title of this poem, automatically you get a sense of something that is not real, a typical stereotype. This stereotype is seen through modern life today, through the media, celebrities, peer groups, or the obvious child’s toy. “Barbie Doll” symbolically describes the inherently destructive nature of patriarchy. A system of social organization in which the “male” is the ruling principle, patriarchy demands women’s obedience to men. Historically, this obedience has been externally manifest through law, for example, until the twentieth century women had been denied voting privileges in the United States. But patriarchy also exhibits its power through the shaping of mind and self-image. A “good” woman is one who conforms to patriarchal expectations: she is feminine, domestic, and will be a stereotypical housewife and leave the men to be the “breadwinner”. The “Barbie Doll” is known as “Satan’s plastic sister”. The intention of the doll was perfection, and when little girls are brought up playing with “Barbie & Ken” they expect reality to be very similar in later life, as...
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...ENGL 2304 Dr. Soto 8 October 2007 Feminism in Trifles In Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, a short play about rural life in the early twentieth century, a strong standpoint on feminism is presented to the audience. Throughout the play, much of the plot revolves around contrasting the men in power’s perception of a crime scene with the more subjective, emotional women’s point of view. In the conclusion of the poem, the women, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale, decline turning in some potential evidence that they have discovered. Their line of reasoning is that they understand the circumstances of the crime: a cruel, oppressive man was killed by his wife because of his wrongdoings. They understand that most likely the man probably deserved his fate, so they do not submit any evidence for the crime to the country attorney and the sheriff. Ethics aside, this action creates a chasm between the perceived implications of the plot of the play versus the actual effect of the play on the audience. In the first sense of the play, there is the literal conclusion. The women outright refuse to give the evidence to the sheriff and the county attorney; instead, they do not even mention that they have “solved” the crime. They end up dismissing it completely. However, attempting to determine the meaning of these actions can be difficult. Looking at the play strictly in a literal sense, the women have apparently done nothing for the cause of feminism. Yes, it is true that the women have silently resisted...
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...Nov, 10, 2013 The Vogue Magazine and Stereotypes Vogue magazine is said to be the most influential fashion magazine worldwide with the number of 11,265,000 of total audience. 88% of the audience are women, in particular women with above average income and higher education. Even though the pages overflow with glamour and luxury, the magazine is highly appreciated by women with average income, too (Nast,C.). For some Vogue can be a reality, for the less lucky it means the possibility to dream. It is a highly intellectual magazine as well, as it responds to current socio-political issues and promotes the cross connection of fashion and politics. With a vast audience comes great responsibility of those behind the creation and edition of the magazine. After all, fashion is a tool of communication that sets roles and promotes ideas and participates at the formation of its followers. A lot of criticism was ascribed to Vogue as a promoter of unrealistically perfect bodies and flawless visages that reinforce our stereotypes of what beauty consists of and what not. Nevertheless, besides the magazine's promotion of stereotypical beauty, at the same time other stereotypes are being attacked and broken down by the Vogue magazine. Vogue is mainly a collection of photoshopping ads of luxury products and models that do not capture reality but stereotypical representation of women. According to some readers, listing through the photographic essays, one is being transported into a...
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...well as lively manner, providing the reader with some relief from the routine and also providing them with details of the news and events that they are interested in. The developments in the field of writing and publications gave way to the concept of specialized magazines, which are meant for particular types of audience and contain material especially prepared for them. Women’s and men’s magazine also fall under the category of specialized magazines and are meant for the respective gender, containing information, news, tips, opinions as well as other material of their interest. Discussion In order to complete this assignment, I have decided to semantically analyze the content of Ladies’ Home Journal and the following paragraphs would be highlighting and focusing on the content, way of writing as well as the advertisements used in the magazine: Topics of the magazine After going through the latest issue of Ladies’ Home Journal and reading all the material available, I have come to the conclusions that the magazine contains highly feminine touch and can easily be characterized as a women’s magazine. This one is a special interest magazine, dealing with the issues and the...
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...When we say “gender is a construct” it basically means that gender is constructed or created by ourselves. For instance, someone once said that gender is not the same as “sex”. This can be rather confusing to a lot of people. While gender is how we act, sex is what our body is. To explain this better, the sex of a person says whether that person is a female or a male by their body parts. Gender is how we act and/or feel according to what we wear, our personality, and even our speaking style. Another analysis about this subject is the differences of boys and girls personalities. Girls are quiet, passive, compassionate, and emotional. Meanwhile, boys are aggressive, competitive, and rough. However, this is not always the case. The mentioned behavior does not have to be tied to a specific gender. This is where the constructed gender comes into place. Not to mention that some cultures have a different meaning of how girls and boys are supposed to behave. Aspects of Conventional Images Aspects of conventional images of women in general literature according to Kolodny (1975) are “the stereotyped traditional literary images of women as, for example, the loving Mom, “the bitch," the Sex Goddess”. In other words, depending on the character and her personality they were stereotyped. Kolodny (1989) also mentions that the reason why they are being stereotyped is to hide their “hidden reality”. For instance, the loving mom depicts a woman who is devoted to their kids making them a priority...
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...the racism and stereotypes of all colors. It spreads the fictions of whiteness around the world. Therefore, these movies: Tarzan, The Ape Man; Leave it to Beaver; Bringing Down the House and White chicks will bring a closer view about the difference between “white” and “un-white” character be described. Also, the introduction and chapter one of “Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media” has provide a broad, critical overview of film primarily from and about the “Third World”. In chapter one “From Eurocentrism to Polycentrism”, they reviewed standard criticism of view in literary in cinematic work. This essay is aims defined the stereotypical images and roles of African Americans in films. First of all, the movie “Tarzan, The Ape Man” is the fairly easy target for people interested in the perpetuation of anti-black stereotypes. Tarzan is presented as a naked savage who doesn’t learn to wear clothes. It’s racist when in the movie, when Tarzan warning Jane and her father that Tarzan, the owner of the jungles has killed beasts and many black men. He pelts animals with thrown objects to torment them. He kills animals for pleasure. To Tarzan all blacks are lower. Besides, in the movie, the Africans of the Mbongan tribe are cannibalism, superstitious, contemptible and debased. Here it come the love of Tarzan, Jane a “white” woman is defined as beautiful, and apparently resourceful and intelligent. However, Esmeralda is presented as a black nanny stereotype. Her character...
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...automatically think that she is obviously on welfare to support all those children. By making assumptions about her situation, you have just stereotyped her. Stereotyping is when you associate a person with a certain category or group of people based on fallacious arguments (Mosser, 2011, 4.1). As humans, we fall victim to being stereotyped without even knowing it. Sometimes it can be blatant, liken if you hear someone speaking derogatory about you, or you feel the unwanted stares from others. But what we don’t realize is that when we commit these fallacies, we run the risk of hurting the very people we are stereotyping. The stereotypes that we encounter in our everyday lives can have lasting effects on ourselves as well as those around us. As an African American woman in charge of a successful business operation, I am a walking stereotype. A typical stereotype that I face every day is that I am a woman, and as such, am incapable of running a business. Now, unlike the women in the article, “Stereotyping Has Lasting Negative Effect” by April Kemick (2010), I never let peoples’ stereotypical implications affect my success. The article goes on to show that women who are stereotyped are irrational, aggressive, and suffer an inability to focus (Kemick, 2010). The type of fallacious argument used here would be hasty generalization. As with most fallacious arguments, hasty generalizations occur “when the conclusion is based on insufficient information “(Mosser, 2011, 4.2). The problem...
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...in many U.S. companies and are also making less than men performing the same types of jobs. The article explains that the glass ceiling is one of the main barriers preventing women from reaching upper management positions. The barrier has been around for many years, but women are starting to break the glass ceiling. There are some companies that are beginning to recognize that women bring a wealth of talent and expertise to the table and they are exploring this talent and giving them opportunities at upper level management positions. Using the White House as evidence, we currently have Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in one of the most powerful positions in the world. The article also brought up some specific barriers to women's advancement in the workplace. Training, career development, promotion, compensation, "old boy network" and discrimination. Discrimination was on the top of the list, however it has existed for many years in the United States. Congress has over the years passed various statues to address the situation. One of the most important federal statutes that deal with discrimination is the Civil Right Act of 1964 (Fogliasso, 2011). In the training area where women wanted to gain knowlwedge for the next level they were just not given the training, so without the training and experience women would often be passed over for upper management positions. Promotion and compensation barriers have much to do with upper management and the culture of...
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...Writing and Literary Critique of Asian/Pacific American Literature Throughout the history of the United States media, there are common stereotypes of females in films that are presented in the short story by Fong, Charlie Chan’ No More. I believe that the roles of Asian Americans are limited in films, such as gender and sexuality, by stereotyping females. Asian Americans are being portrayed as negative images through various media, from books, films, plays, and even television. “The audience would realize that media views Asians and Asian Americans as others that include exoticized women, asexual men, a yellow peril threat to the United States” (Ono & Pham, 2009). Throughout this essay, I am referencing the article by Fong, Charlie Chan’ No More, and Moon, a poem by Marilyn Chin, where they both talk about sexuality and gender. “Asian women, have often been depicted as almost completely sexual” (Fong, 177). In the short story as well as the poem, they can manipulate the messages of gender and sexuality of Asian American females that are being represented in both stories. Throughout Fong’s short story, there is a lot of controversy whether or not Asian American females are being portrayed with negative images, for example as sex objects. I also researched instances on the counter actions taken by Asian American females that protest the negative images, such as the dragon lady. I believe that Asian American females are being portrayed with such negative images, such as...
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...Negative Stereotype Life is a symphony composed of three distinct movements, a lot of people, a few people, and almost no one; each of them is affected by stereotypes. Stereotypes may be defined as popular beliefs about specific social groups or types of individuals and are broadly standardized or simplified conceptions of groups based on some prior assumptions.* , stereotypes are present an incomplete, subjective and sometimes false image of the reality. They are often based on tradition and are resistant to change. Although they can have positive and negative effect; the last is much more common and easily spread throughout social institutions, such as mass media, that are using stereotypes, basing on the assumption, that they are well known to everyone and help the receivers to understand the content of the message. Stereotypes have a negative effect when it published throughout the mass media such as gender stereotype or violence stereotype and other. First, gender stereotype; the Differentiating gender roles in the modern societies can be a perfect example of the negative social effects of using stereotypes in mass media. Nowadays the differences between male and female roles are smaller, however mass media still perpetuates traditional gender stereotypes so still seen in series how is the man have been considered to be financial providers, assertive and independent, whereas women have been shown as low-position workers, responsible for raising children and doing...
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...Gauntlett’s chapter titled "Some Background Debates" in the novel Media, Gender and Identity: an Introduction. With continuous changes in technology, things can be broadcasted faster, in a wider range, and to larger audiences. It seems that everyone is being exposed to the media thus making anyone susceptible to the ways media has influence. Media gives audiences several stereotypes that represent gender roles. For example, an engaging study taken from chapter two of Gauntlett’s book is from Williams and Best. In 1977 they created a “sex stereotype index” by their experiment where, a large list of adjectives were shown and based of that list participants would pick which gender the adjective was associated with. The findings were, “over 25% of men had self-descriptions that were more stereotypic of women than the average women’s stereotype” (40). Moreover these results were identical to the women’s self-descriptions of themselves and when both genders were asked to pick adjectives describing others, the results yielded stereotypical characteristics. Consequently, this shows that we might not apply stereotypes to ourselves, but when it comes to others we apply them frequently. Another part of the chapter that was fascinating was the debate between Theodor Adorno and John Fiske. This debate is one that cannot be won. It...
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...in control of their own thoughts, emotions, actions, basically their whole lives and the way they see other people. However, in actuality, they are not. In the society we live in today, we are all brought up on stereotypes and expected to fill the supposed roles of the child, the woman, and the man. All we see on TV, in commercials, magazines, and on the internet is the stereotypical person. The big strong male figure, the mother or the sexy and thin female figure, these are some of the types of characters portrayed in everything that we intake from the media. The media is a massive information network that connects people to the world, which is beneficial, however , it also misrepresents different groups of people which in turn warps the minds of its audience. It forces us to prejudge, and we grow up on these often false representations of the world. The representation of women in the media has changed a lot in the last couple decades, Many of us would agree that some strides have been made in how the media portrays women in movies, TV and magazines, and that there has been an increase in the presence and influence of women in media. Nonetheless, female stereotypes continue to expand in the media we take in every day. Images of female bodies are everywhere. Women's bodies are used to sell everything now a days. Many actresses and other women that are used as marketing props are now encouraged to be thinner. These impossible to achieve standards of beauty are pushed on all...
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