Stereotypes & Propaganda

Stereotypes are considered as a very important component in the media, especially in propaganda. Stereotype is defined as “ a fixed conventional nation or conception of an individual or group of people, held by a number of people”.

Stereotypes often misrepresent wrong and bad pictures about cretin conceptions or groups of people. Because of its strong influence, stereotype can work when used in propaganda tactics. Hence, every group or community surly will use it to support and spread its ideologies and believes regardless of its negativity or positivity. That’s because, what is negative to this group of people, it’s not necessary to have the same conception to another group. Sometimes it’s completely opposite.

However, still there are many concepts that all the people have the same opinion on it either negatively or positively. Therefore, in general, stereotype isn’t necessarily always a negative phenomenon. Propaganda use of stereotype can sometimes give motivation to learn about something beneficial.

“Propaganda is a force which can influence and affect everyone; bringing changes in behavior, attitudes and ones beliefs”

“Media impacts its viewers modifying their judgments based on the information, which they receive. Substantial amounts of stereotypes broadcasted through propaganda have similar effects”

Here is one of the examples that are affecting young children by stereotypes. It’s Simpsons TV show. The Characters in this show such as Apu are highly discriminated and stereotyped.

                     On this show Apu is characterized as an Indian immigrant, who prays to Ganesh, and holds a highly noticeable and dissimilar accent. This is a stereotype, which is observed by young children and is perceived as humorous; they apply this knowledge towards those they meet in real-life. Viewers of this show believe this information to be completely accurate for they hold little or no knowledge about that particular group. Though the stereotypes shown on TV are usually misrepresented, they are quite well accepted by the audience as the truth. The viewers who watch these shows on a regular basis do not recognize the biased content, which is being presented. Media grabs the interests of their audience through comedy, drama, and action, which causes the viewers to disregard the immorality behind the content.


Reference: http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=21979