Stereotypes in the Media



Stereotypes in the Media

Glee

A stereotype is a commonly held public belief about specific social groups, or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other meanings. Stereotypes are standardized and simplified conceptions of groups, based on some prior assumptions.

One theory as to why people stereotype is that it is too difficult to take in all of the complexities of other people as individuals. Even though stereotyping is inexact, it is an efficient way to mentally organize large blocks of information. Categorization is an essential human capability because it enables us to simplify, predict, and organize our world. Once one has sorted and organized everyone into tidy categories, there is a human tendency to avoid processing new or unexpected information about each individual. Assigning general group characteristics to members of that group saves time and satisfies the need to predict the social world in a general sense.

Another theory is that people stereotype because of the need to feel better. Stereotypes protect one from anxiety and enhance self-esteem. By designating one’s own group as the standard or normal group and assigning others to groups considered inferior or abnormal, it provides one with a sense of worth.

Some believe that childhood influences are some of the most complex and influential factors in developing stereotypes. Though they can be absorbed at any age, stereotypes are usually acquired in early childhood under the influence of parents, teachers, peers, and the media. Once a stereotype is learned, it often becomes self-perpetuating.

The teen show, Glee features a typical group of high school stereotypes (archetypes) such as: a class clown, a jock, a nerd, a cheerleader, a feminist, a band geek, and an overachiever. Some critics think the series, in addition to stereotyping people, stereotypes an institution itself, that of high school. TV stereotypes of high schools have often promoted a "typical American school" as football games, fashion, and promiscuous teenagers. Viewers tend to suspend their disbelief about the reality of a typical high school day and therefore are able to ignore the fact that these students also freely sing about their emotions.

Not only are the students in Glee stereotypes, but the teachers are as well. It is often said that teachers are a reflection of their students and the teachers in the show seem to mirror the stereotypes of the students. There are emotionally unattached gym teachers who are concerned with physical health and beauty. There is a psychologically unbalanced guidance counsellor who wants to help the students, but can’t recognize her own problems. The main character of the show, Mr. Schuster, lives vicariously through the lives of the students in the glee club.

In the following table, please outline which of the following stereotypes are reinforced or portrayed in this show. The type will be listed on the side. Write a description of this character.

|Stereotype |Character’s Name |Description |

|Jock |Finn | |

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|Nerd |Artie | |

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|Class Clown |Puck (Noah) | |

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|Over Achiever |Rachel | |

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|Gay (male) |Kurt | |

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|African American (female) |Mercedes | |

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|Cheerleader |Quinn | |

|(female) | | |

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