Stereotyping

  Your task is to choose a current (e.g., in the last 12 months) television program or a film and conduct a content analysis that identifies the stereotypical portrayals used by the producers to condemn or endorse specific lifestyle choices. • Choose one of the major characters in the movie or TV program you’ve selected. • Describe their physical appearance; are they made to look attractive? • What role does this person play in the story? Is it stereotypical? Are they effective in that role? • What is this person’s job? Is it stereotypical? Are they successful in their job? • Describe two or three specific actions taken by this person. • What was the outcome of each action? Was it positive or negative? • Do the actions/outcomes reinforce a stereotype? • Is the stereotype positive or negative? • How likeable and/or intelligent is this person? • How desirable is this person’s lifestyle? • What are ways to mitigate the stereotyping portrayal you identified in your content analysis? Be sure your analysis is informed by social psychology theory and research.