How Stereotypes play substantial parts in our Perception of others and ourselves
Introduction
A “stereotype” in social psychology can be defined as being an “over-generalized belief” regarding a specific category of individuals. It is, therefore, an expectation that individuals might hold regarding every individual of a particular group, which can vary based on the expectations regarding the personality, ability, and preferences of a given group. There are various ways through which stereotypes are known to arise and according to some of the psychologists; it is highly believed that even though the stereotypes can indeed be absorbed during any age, they are mostly acquired by individuals during their early childhood under the influence of not only parents but also peers, teachers and even the media (Pedro et al. 2016, p. 1760). That apart such stereotypes can also occur as a result of the media type in which the media displays some individuals in the society as being dominant or influential and even through distortion where some situations are presented in distorted ways, which is not the real or actual situation. Stereotypes are also known to occur in television programming where some individuals or celebrities are depicted as being successful as a result of using specified products or services and in movies where the main actors are described as being quite powerful and capable of doing extraordinary things. In the new stories, stereotypes are also known to arise in situations where stereotyped coverage of the news is done by giving people of a particular class or race more priority at the expense of others. This essay will present a discussion on how the stereotypes played a significant role in the perceptions of different people in two texts.
Based on the essay titled The Box Man by Barbara Ascher, it is quite evident that the stereotypes indeed play vital parts in how people perceive themselves and others. This is through the depiction of differences between both “chosen” and “unchosen” loneliness. The author effectively supports claims through the use of observations and allusions of other people that she significantly feels quite lonely. The depiction of how the stereotypes play a vital role in the lives of other people is clearly illustrated by the author when at the start of The Box Man makes a description of the various observations made regarding a homeless man who collected cardboard boxes during night time to furnish and equip his home that was located on streets. For instance, Ascher asserts that “…one could live like this…(p.257) and even goes further in explaining that children in “The Boxcar children” were capable of living happier lives, just like how The Box Man lived. The author further develops another significant allusion to a writer regarding The Box Man through Thoreau, who left his own life to peacefully live or stay in the woods (Barbara, p. 260). This is, therefore, a clear indicator by the author agrees that stereotypes play essential roles in how individuals perceive themselves as well as how they perceive others. As much as other people may regard the Boxman and the Boxcar children as being lonely and who deserve some form of help, the characters in the novel depict that they are quite comfortable with their lives hence the stereotype. The author further draws the issue of stereotypes through the categorization of the two men as being individuals who opted to become lonely on their own and depicts how “The Box Man” was known to have refused any kind of support from the government or state because according to him, he enjoyed how he lived his own life.
Ascher further ascertains the issue of the stereotype and the role that it plays in perceiving self and others through a declaration that The Box Man should not be confused with other lonely people. This is achieved when the author contrasts the lives of the two “unchosen lonely women” with the life and times of the “Box Man.” It can be ascertained from the author’s works that while the first woman in the story orders for soup from a coffee shop nearby and also spends a lot of time in breaking of the Saltine crackers into “a million pieces” so as can fill her “lonely void,” the second woman, on the other hand, is known to be “noticeably lonely” due to not only her “six cats” but also because of her television set as well as lights which are always on during the early morning hours. According to the author, it is apparent that stereotypes play a vital role in how people perceive themselves and others, and this is evidenced when she asserts that “…The Boxman knows that loneliness chosen loses its sting and claims no victim (p.261). According to the author (Barbara Ascher), it is inferred that “The Boxman” knows too well that this is indeed a solo voyage in which each and every person is always alone regardless of whether this is denied or not. The statement is supported by the author by implying that regardless of what or who we need in order to fill “our lonely voids,” this will always linger in the minds of people through stereotypes. So it is still important to embrace such loneliness and ensure we love ourselves to the best.
According to a series titled Private Lives by Ruiz-Camacho and which was published in the New York times, it is evident that the author, just like Ascher depicted that stereotypes indeed played essential roles in our Perception of other people as well as ourselves (Camacho-Ruiz, p. 244). This is quite true because a comparison of the author’s childhood vacations that were taken in the United States and the recent vacations that were made by the son in Mexico depicted a huge difference hence the stereotyping. The author perceived the U.S. as being the ultimate choice and the number one destination because of not only its fascinating Disneyland but also the Knott’s Berry Farm and the Sea World, which were deemed as being the best for her (Camacho-Ruiz, p. 245). This was because of her ability to complete her “first grade” with honors, and she deemed this as being the best reward so far for her. According to her self-perception, the author had a perception that is only seven years; she firmly believed that life, as it were in the Up North, was indeed not only better but also more advanced and irresistibly alluring. The author thus had a stereotype of strongly believing that the cars in Los Angeles glided along streets. Therefore she felt strongly disappointed when the stereotype did not become fruitful. Some of the surrounding therefore emerged to be the realities while others were just mere assumptions which did not ultimately become truthful.
As compared to the trip that the author made to the U.S. with parents, the one that she made with her children to Mexico was quite different. This was because unlike before, she had the stereotype that the area was not safe because of the waves of violence that had rocked the region. This is the major reason why the author was quite jittery before the trip despite having been assured by both relatives and friends from Mexico that the area was quite safe for them. Based on the author’s work, it is quite evident that she had the stereotype that affected her own Perception as well as the Perception of other people. For instance, the author asserts that “…I was secretly afraid my kids wouldn’t connect with the place I came fro I was afraid they’d compare Mexico and America the same way I had as ki (p.245). This is indeed a clear indicator that the author did not only have a stereotype about herself, but she also had a stereotype regarding her children. Some of the stereotypes that she had about others, which is, in this case, her children, ultimately emerged to be true when they made a comparison between America and Mexico the same way she did when she was a child. According to the stereotype that was made by the author’s son known as Emiliano, Mexico was far better off than the United States. Therefore she posed to her mother a question as to why they cannot stay in Mexico (Camacho-Ruiz, p. 247). It was also through the family’s stay in Toluca, the author’s hometown, that they were capable of being encountered with various stereotypes such as the gap between the poor and the rich.
It is quite evident that majority of the stereotypes happen as a result of media distortion or hype in various situations such as in news stories, advertising, television programming, movies, and even in different platforms. This is quite true since the use of mass media indeed has a great reach in various societies across the world, and they are also a major filter through which individuals can also learn regarding others. However, some of the studies have indicated the media has also continued to yield racial and ethnic stereotypes that have, at most times, resulted in harmful impacts (Sutkutė, 2019). In various mediums such as in drama, news stories, movies, advertising, and even in television, it was noted that the ethnic minority groups were typically overlooked and marginalized. This is because, at most times than not, they are usually represented and even shown in roles that have been narrowly stereotyped or even depicted in a negative manner as being criminal, violent, or even problematic by the media. On the other hand, the “ethnic minority media,” which is the media that is both produced by and for the “ethnic minority groups,” are generally known to present more positive and vital representations and therefore become a counter to the mainstream stereotypes (Sharma, 2017). However, it is also important to note that they can also become prone to narrow stereotypes and typecasting.
In conclusion, it can truly be asserted that stereotypes occur as a result of various reasons, but the media plays a significant role in spreading the same. This is because the media plays a critical role in both the construction and reinforcement of both stereotypes as well as discriminatory attitudes towards other people in society. However, it is important to note that before the provision of any detailed analysis regarding the perceived influence that is played by various types of media in the formation or creation of stereotypes, it is always vital to ensure that media consumption is reviewed on the basis of how it is reported by both the business respondents as well as the community. It is worth noting that misinformation and stereotypes have made the ethnic minorities across the world to actually turn away from the mainstream media and instead opt for an increase in the use of internet media and transnational satellite to get information for themselves.
Works Cited
Ascher, Barbara. Playing After Dark: The Box Man. 1986. Washington D.C. 257-261
Bordalo, Pedro, et al. “Stereotypes.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics 131.4 (2016): 1753-1794.
Camacho-Ruiz. Private Lives: Souvenirs. New York Times. 1986 244-247.
Sharma, A. (2017). Multiculturalism, diversity, and stereotypes: Engaging students with images in media. Media Watch, 8(1), 20-29.
Sutkutė, R. (2019). Media, stereotypes, and Muslim representation: the world after Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy. Eureka: social and humanities. Tallinn: Scientific Route, 2019, Vol. 6.