Media Term Thursday #31
/Stereotype
A generalised way of grouping people together by the way they look and/or behave. How the stereotype is represented will depend upon the values the community holds about the group. Therefore, stereotypes can be positive and negative.
Stereotypes can be based on occupation, gender, nationality, subcultures etc.
In order to identify a stereotype, you must be able to recognise the symbols and understand their meaning. Symbols may be items of clothing, physical appearance, facial expressions, gestures, speech, objects, setting and behaviours.
The instantly recognisable nature of stereotypes means that they are a very effective way of communicating to an audience. The mass media rely on this recognition as a shortcut for the development of characters.
Stereotypes are continually modified (and new ones created) by the mass media to suit the changing audiences and current value systems.
