Representation Theory - Tessa Perkins - Visual Essay

Stereotypes
Stereotypes are assumptions we make based on various groups of people. We base these assumptions on previous experiences we've had with these particular groups, our friends experiences and how these particular groups are portrayed within the media. These assumptions however are not always correct. For Example, the general public may have a negative view on youths due to how they're portrayed in the media with the crimes committed and how antisocial they are etc. and when they are praised on results day for achieving better grades, they are then put down by saying how much easier these exams have gotten, whereas a teacher or someone else who works with youths may have a completely different view of them as they see how hard working and kind hearted they are.

Tessa Perkins suggest that there's 5 assumptions to stereotypes

1. Stereotypes are not always negative 
2. They are not always about the minority groups or the less powerful 
3. They can be held about ones own group
4. They are not rigid or unchanging 
5. They are not always false

They are not always negative

People often assume that stereotypes are a negative thing, however they can be seen as a positive. For example, the French make good cooks and Italian's make good lovers.

They are not always about the minority groups or the less powerful

People again often assume that stereotypes are directed at and targeted towards the less powerful, but this is not always the case. We can make stereotypes and assumptions on the Upper class, and these assumptions are formed by the way that they are portrayed in the media. E.g. They only care about money and they're very pitiful on the lower class as they feel sorry for them because they don't have much money and they have to go out to work everyday. 

They can be held about ones own group

Although certain people who belong to the same institutions all hold the same ideologies as a whole, stereotyping still happens within that group which are based on assumptions. For example, a college all hold the same ideologies however within a college, several stereotypical groups are created such as the Jocks, Divas, Emo's Indies and goths etc,

They are not rigid or unchanging 

Although it's very hard to change a stereotype once one has been created, it's not impossible to change over a period of time. For example Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus both drastically changed their image and their stereotype.
  

They are not always false

Stereotypes must have a certain element of truth to them otherwise there is nowhere for this assumption to come from. We may witness this first hand or second hand however there must be some truth within a stereotype otherwise the ideology would not have existed in the first place.