#positive stereotypes

[the-enchanted-storybook]

I need help!

Hey guys! I’m conducting some research for the completion of my degree covering stereotype threat in the media. More specifically, we are trying to see if inducing stereotype threat will affect someone’s cognitive abilities.

I need to find short clips from the media (can be movies, TV shows, commercials, etc,) that portray both positive and negative stereotypes. These stereotypes can be related to race/ethnicity or gender, and they have to be available to watch in one way or another, so preferably on YouTube. If not there, having the episode information would be helpful if it is from a TV show, or other general timestamp information for TV shows or movies.

I’ve run into a bit of a wall trying to find these clips and need some suggestions. This past week I’ve been swamped with other assignments and GRE prep (thank god that’s over) and have been struggling to find good examples beyond a few negatively stereotypes commercials as I don’t watch much TV or really a whole lot of movies. I’ve had a few shows recommended to me but I’m on a rather tight timeline and they’ve been very general recommendations based off of the fact that they liked the shows, not necessarily that they’d be good to pull clips from for this purpose  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I’m super grateful for any suggestions, and it’d mean a lot to me if you could share this around so more people see it! Feel free to private message me with your suggestions, comment on this post, or add it to a reblog! You guys are the best <3

[sing-me-a-day6-song]

I really don't get people who say "Asians have positive stereotypes." Sorry, but do you mean the model minority myth? Do you know how fucking damaging that is?

[theexodvs]

also isnt trump just antisemitic in a less hostile way? like at one point he tried to praise a jewish audience for being 'good with money'

Yes. Positive stereotypes are still stereotypes. He also spoke to a room full of Jewish-Americans and said Netanyahu was their president.

[ceedling]

here is a new video i made about positive stereotypes (ie. Asians are good at math, gay people are good at shopping, etc) and why they are still harmful and ultimately not okay! 

[itsshebelievedsoshedid18]

What do you think about immigrants? This is a very controversial question in today’s society. Many people think negatively about immigrants being in this country. But if you do feel that why ask yourself what do I really know about an immigrant? chances are many people only know what the internet tells you. What are some things that are associated with being an immigrant? There are so many words that people use to describe those in the immigrant community. Most of the words used towards immigrants are bad, and they get passed around like its nothing. But no one talks about all of the positive words that could be use to describe an immigrant. Many immigrants are honest, loving, hardworking, friendly and so on. The words you use matter because they can hurt others. I cant say how many times I have been in class and someone has called me an “alien” and said it like it was okay. Many students who are immigrants face words like that day to day in schools. It is important to spread love not hate and look at the positive side of people.

( Helen Padilla. Words to me. November 3, 2015, Worditout.)

[silent-hill-justice]

I have a question, what is everyone's opinions on positive stereotypes? Can they be considered offensive? -Vincent

[tristine-t-blog]

Duke University psychologist Aaron C. Kay and his coauthors argue that since positive stereotypes don't arouse as much skepticism as derogatory ones, people are more apt to accept them. Yet, by subtly reinforcing the notion that certain groups are fundamentally different, so called "good" stereotypes can actually be more pernicious.

Matt Huston, "The Worst Kind of Flattery: Positive Stereotyping isn't as Innocent as it Seems," Psychology Today

[southernsara7-blog-blog]

My name is Sara and I'm judge-y. Parte deux.

Positive stereotypes can be just as damaging as negative ones because they are still not allowing people to see a person as a whole individual. They are misleading. Positive stereotypes create a facade, which leads to a halo effect. Here are a list of things that I judge people for in everyday life.

Thumbs up!

1. Obama/Biden bumper stickers- I see this and think kindred spirit. Haha! What? That makes no sense. Just because someone votes like me, clearly does not mean I will like them. I have many conservative friends that I adore and I know many liberals that I cannot stand, but I see that bumper sticker on someone's car and forgive them for cutting me off or not letting me over when the two lanes are merging because they probably have a lot on their minds or they just didn't see me. 

2. List multiple indie films as their favorite movies - You love independent films! I bet you enjoy philosophy too! And eating at ethnic restaurants! And learning a foreign language! And are just an all around open minded and interesting person! 

3. People who wear glasses (bonus if they are thick rimmed)- These people are like me and are too cool for contact lenses. People who wear glasses are openly flipping the bird to societies idea of conventional beauty. For many, many years people who wear glasses have been stereotyped as uncool and if they just took their glasses off, they could be attractive too. I almost only attracted to men who wear glasses. Glasses make you look smart and smart is sexy. 

4. Harry Potter fans (books only)-You have excellent taste! I bet you are an independent thinker who cares about world politics, justice, and has heard of Amnesty International. You probably know a thing or two about philosophy as well. I see these people and think these things. I think, "They get it". 

5. Mothers who carry their babies in that sling thing- The best mothers ever! I bet they breast feed their babies. They read to their babies and play music for them. I look at these women and think, "THAT is the kind of mom I want to be."

Notice something blatantly obvious about the positive stereotypes? They are all things that I can relate to and that align with my own personal preferences. I associate positive things with things that I like. I wear glasses. I love independent films and am completely in love with Harry Potter. I support President Obama and as I said, I want to be a mom who carries her baby in that sling thing. Personal preference. I associate these things with other positive traits in myself, so I project them onto others. I have met Harry Potter fans who don't give a shit about world politics and justice, but they really enjoyed the story. I know people who wear glasses who are not smart. I know ass holes with the Obama/Biden bumper stickers. I have met people who are not anything like me that I thoroughly enjoy their company and that I admire. 

The moral of this story is the same. Making snap judgments of people is a terrible decision. It has lead me to possibly exclude some very wonderful people from my life and has lead me to waste time on some people whose personality is like oil and mine is water. They just don't mix. I want to fight this instinct. I don't want to be so critical. I mean, hell, how would I feel if I knew what things people were making snap judgments on me about? Like shit! That is how I would feel.

Next blog: Things people could seriously misread about me based on snap judgments.