Media Literacy: Understanding Stereotypes

Images are powerful. How the media depict male, female, race, ethnicity, class, age, occupation and size, influences how we see ourselves and others. Are the images we see what we aspire to be? How can we change this picture?

Discussion.. If you all can remember for the first class, what makes something a stereotype? If you have not figured it out a stereotype is: assumptions and beliefs about the physical, behavioral, and psychological characteristics assigned to a particular group or class of people.

Examine the image from Pulp Fiction to decide if any stereotypes are used. Answer the discussion questions. Why do you think the people who designed the poster for the movie Pulp Fiction chose the specific content they did? What makes the image of the woman a stereotype? What stereotype is it? How can you tell?

Discussion In light of the definition of stereotypes from a previous slide, what are the physical, behavioral, and psychological traits associated with the term "dork?" Are those traits linked to any particular group of people? Can any person of any age, class, race, or gender be labeled a dork? Why or why not?

Discussion Have you ever felt you had to laugh when a stereotype in used in a joke, even though you didn't want to? Does laughing make you complicit in the stereotyping that's going on? What could you do instead of laughing?

Examine the ad for Training Camp. Answer the following questions. Why do you think the company Training Camp used a photo of a women’s breasts in this ad? What does breasts have to do with a Training camp?

Media Literacy Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, critically evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms. How many forms of media have you encountered so far today? Brainstorm a list of them now (5 minutes)

Media Literacy Five Principles to remember: – Messages are constructed. – The media construct reality. – Different people experience the same media message in different ways. – Media are primarily businesses driven by a profit motive. – Media have embedded values and points of view.

Media Stereotypes Complete the blank with an adjective All women are _____________. Black men are ______________. White women are ___________. Athletes are _______________. Lesbians are ________________.

We cannot be understood without considering the profound influence of the media. Media literacy can empower us to be positive contributors to society, to challenge stereotypes and to serve as agents of change. In ignoring advertising, TV, movies, video games and advertisements, we are ignoring a significant part of our nature and needs.

Conclusion We have vast amounts of information thrust upon us at all times, much of it from media sources, much of it verbal or written, much of it visual, much of it is manipulative. It is our task to make sense of it all, to construct reality from this information. The media can be very dangerous, created false and negative images about different groups, genders or races.