Media Impact on Stereotypes: How the Media Feeds the Bias Beast

Media Impact on Stereotypes: How the Media Feeds the Bias Beast

Oral - Textual or Investigative

This project examines the ways in which news media perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes, different methods of diminishing stereotyping on a psychological level, and proposes an adaptation of these strategies to be applied in the news media industry. It is well documented that the media industry frequently feeds stereotypic images rather than diminishing them, even if unintentionally. Stereotypic portrayals in the media can have real-world impacts on the people or groups unfairly treated. These impacts range from influencing interpersonal interactions to influencing public policy that affects those subjected to stereotyping. Existing research has primarily examined the psychological processes of stereotyping and how to change them, rather than addressing the vessels through which stereotypic information is delivered. This study fills a gap between the psychology and journalism disciplines by seeking to connect psychological strategies to the news media industry to diminish unfair stereotyping. It examines the ways the stereotypes are intentionally and unintentionally perpetuated through news media, such as through the use of exemplars to “personalize” stories. It then analyzes the methods that have been shown effective in changing people’s personal biases and suggests ways to implement these strategies in common journalism practice, at local and national levels. Such changes have yet to be expressly applied in the journalism field, even though they would naturally conform to the ethical standards widely held in the industry. The difficulty of implementing such practices while balancing equal fairness to all subjects is also addressed, and suggestions are made for how to proceed in such areas.