Think about the television you watch and the commercials you have seen. What prejudices and stereotypes are reinforced? Why do the media continue to reinforce these prejudices and stereotypes?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Response:
During television programs and commercials several stereotypes may be presented. Some may include blondes are dumb or ditzy, African American males are athletic, overweight women are housekeepers, people who wear glasses are smart, handicapped people rarely appear in this world, gay men are effeminate, Latinos have large families. Stereotypes are often used for humor and to reinforce humorous situations. Although many programming issues would work with other characters and commercials could advertise their products with a more diverse group of actors, the media reinforces stereotypes and prejudices because it appeals to unconscious beliefs of the consumer. Typically consumers don't recognize these advertisements as stereotypes because these images are so familiar that they seem not to be stereotypes at all, but rather to portray realit