Stereotypes

1. What does the word ‘stereotype’ mean?

The word stereotype means a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

2.   Describe how the media portrays certain ethnic groups in a negative light. Give an example of a specific ethnic group.

The Media portrays certain ethnic groups in a negative light. An example of this is Asians being bad drivers. This is extremely racist and is proven to be untrue. Just because a person is from a different race or culture, doesn’t mean they are incompetent to drive on our roads.

3.   Discuss how stereotypes are represented in the media.

Stereotypes are represented in the media in many different ways in today’s society, for example teen stereotypes, gender stereotypes and racial stereotypes. Almost all of the people on TV are pretty, really skinny, wears nice clothes and have their hair styled. This is not the right way to portray people because it is not how it is in real life.

4.   How does the media encourage the use of stereotypes?

The media encourages the use of stereotypes in many different ways. Whether it is using skinny and pretty girls in men’s ads or good looking and famous guys in others, the media has come up with a very manipulative way to advertise.

5.   How are stereotypes constructed?

Everything we do influence us in some way, whether good or bad. Stereotypes are constructed by having the same information told by our parents, friends and television.

6.   Research and analyse the representations in the media that are stereotypical.

There are many stereotypes used in media. A popular stereotype used in television and ads is that black people are rough and often part of gangs. This stereotype is often false and untrue.

7.   How are stereotypes and prejudices constructed?

Stereotypes are constructed by being influenced by the television, teachers, friends and parents. Being told that a certain group looks a certain way or vice versa.

8.   Describe a stereotyped character form a TV show or movie.

Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway star in the film ‘Bride Wars’. They start off as best friends from a very young age, dreaming of their weddings. It is depicted that all women care about is big weddings, and they put their friendship on the line over a wedding date.

9.   How accurate is this stereotype?

This stereotype isn’t accurate at all because everyone has their own opinions and cares about different things. Not every girl cares about having a huge wedding, and there is nothing wrong with that. 

The History of Advertising

Advertising isn’t just 2 minutes of interruptions during your favourite shows or about the new and popular things; it has a long history too. It is an essential part to many successful businesses – without it, far less people would know who you are.

Remarkably, Advertising dates back to early civilization. The Egyptians used papyrus for their posters and sale messages and evidence has even been found in the ruins of Pompeii and Ancient Arabia. The wall paintings that are still around today can be described as advertising. These paintings are possibly the oldest and first form of advertising used.

During the middle ages, many people could not read or write, therefore many of the worded displays of advertising were not understood. Image advertising started to be used displaying pictures for different businesses. Some shop owners often used street callers to attract customers as a form of mouth Advertising. As society became more advanced, so did advertising.

During the 18th Century, ads began to appear in newspapers in England and were mostly to promote books and medicines. However, false advertising quickly became a problem, which caused regulations to be used for advertising.

In the 19th Century, Thomas J. Barratt from London created an effective advertisement using slogans, images and phrases. His most famous slogan, “Good morning. Have you used Pears’ Soap?” was used well into the 20th century. Barrett is called “ the father of modern advertising”. Pears Soap became the world’s first brand, and it still exists today.

Advertising soon ventured into other forms, appearing

in other media bases besides the newspaper. In the early 1920’s, the first radio stations were established. They were often sponsored by a single business in exchange for mentioning the business’ name. In the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, commercial television began. Also the practice of selling advertisements to multiple different sponsors became more popular.

When the sexist and racist advertisings past is mentioned, the caveat tends to be ‘But look how far we’ve come today!’ But has it really changed? Many of the old sexist and racist ads have been used in modern advertisements, just shown in a different way.

This ad shows that women should be at mens feet created in the 60’s and a similar ad created in the 21st century suggests the same concept. At least in the vintage ad you could see the models face!

Advertising is now posted everywhere you look. On the internet, the radio, between television shows and even bars running along the bottom of your screen during them.

Advertising plays a major part in todays society and has impacted the world for centuries, whether positively or negatively.

If you would like more information on this visit these websites! 🙂

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising

http://visual.ly/history-advertising

http://www.businessinsider.com/these-modern-ads-are-even-more-sexist-than-their-mad-men-era-counterparts-2012-4?op=1

Tash x