Media Representation and Bias

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to media representation, bias, and various sociocultural dynamics discussed in the lecture.

fundamental attribution error

The tendency to misjudge the causes of one's own and others’ behaviors.

seek clarification

A courageous conversation framework that involves asking questions like, 'What do you mean?'

stay in the room

Leaning in when the conversation gets tough.

bias

A personal inclination or prejudice toward or against something.

Privilege

An unearned advantage based on identity.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that supports existing beliefs or expectations.

beliefs/opinions/values

The ideas or convictions that individuals hold.

reinforce/strengthen

To support or bolster one's existing worldview.

Cognitive dissonance

Mental tension or discomfort experienced when a person holds two conflicting beliefs or values.

avoiding/dismissing/ignoring

Ways individuals reduce cognitive dissonance by not confronting contradictory information.

harmony/balance/consistency

A state where conflicting beliefs do not exist.

anxious/defensive/uneasy

Feelings that may cause audiences to reject factual reporting.

Exclusionary Phase

The period when marginalized groups were often omitted from mainstream news coverage.

crime/conflict

The contexts in which marginalized communities were often mentioned.

invisible

How mainstream media rendered marginalized communities, treating the dominant group as 'default.'

discrimination/racism/sexism/homophobia, etc.

The wider patterns that early media structures mirrored.

Threatening Issue Phase

The phase when marginalized groups are seen as a threat or problem.

danger

How media often portrays marginalized groups in relation to stability.

panic/fear/outrage

The feelings that media amplifies through selective coverage.

control/policy/policing

Terms associated with justifying unequal treatment of marginalized groups by the media.

Confrontation Phase

When marginalized communities actively demand justice or equality.

drama/violence/confrontation/conflict

What news coverage often focuses on during protests.

chaos/disorder

What the media portrayal of protests can shift attention toward.

radicals/troublemakers/agitators

How activists may be framed in the media.

legitimate/reasonable/peaceful

Alternative views on how protestors may be perceived.

Stereotypical Selection Phase

Highlights selective inclusion where minority figures appear through negative stereotypes.

simplified/exaggerated/negative

Characteristics often associated with stereotypes in media portrayals.

assimilationist/mainstream

Narratives that only include individuals who fit dominant norms.

inequality/discrimination

Issues often ignored in tokenistic storytelling.

authenticity/voice

What is frequently lacking despite diverse appearances.

justice/equality/equity

What visibility alone does not guarantee.

accurate/fair/inclusive

Goals of media representation in the most inclusive stage.

depth/context/balance

Desirable qualities for representing marginalized communities.

division/fear

The misrepresentation of race as a source of conflict.

understanding/dialogue/respect

Importantly sought goals of inclusion in media representation.

Kerner Commission

1968 commission asserting the press's failure to reflect diverse perspectives.

disasters/conflict/societal problems

Types of events biasedly focused on by the news.

words/journalism

Symbolic weapons used by Black journalists in resistance.

mainstream

Media from which marginalized voices were excluded.

racism/discrimination

Themes critiqued by the Black press.

manipulates/tricks

What media does to viewers regarding stereotypes.

exotic/Mammy/forbidden Latin lover/fiery Latina/trusty sidekick

Examples of common stereotypes in media.

savage Native American/Asian/Arab

Villainous stereotypes depicted in media.

success

A common narrative surrounding marginalized individuals.

morally

What Hollywood often portrays minority groups as inferior to.

Birth of a Nation

1915 film that glorified violence against African Americans.

objectivity

Ideal of fair, balanced, and unbiased reporting in journalism.

dominant

Positions that can be masked by the concept of objectivity.

societal power/influence

Factors influencing how journalists weigh different voices.

positionality/place

Awareness required for true fairness in journalism.

heard/amplified

Objectivity influences who defines what is ‘newsworthy’ and whose voices are

representation

The goal journalists must strive for to counter stereotypes.

Bechdel Test

A measure of women's representation in film and fiction.

victims or ordinary citizens

Common portrayals of women in media.

male gaze

A lens through which visual media represent women from a heterosexual perspective.

oppression

What women of color face through intersectionality.

objects

How women are often positioned in media.

subjects

Who is represented as the observer in visual narratives.

appearance/beauty/sexuality

Value mistakenly placed on women over their voice.

pleasure/perspective/point of view

What the male gaze centers, reinforcing power dynamics.

agency/autonomy/experience

What media that challenges the male gaze focuses on.

passive/decorated/idealized

Characteristics of women as seen through traditional narratives.

Toxic masculinity

Cultural norms promoting aggressive control and emotion suppression.

vulnerability/expression

What toxic masculinity discourages.

violence/dominance/physicality

Traits equated with strength in toxic masculinity.

macho/alpha

Stereotypes associated with traditional masculinity.

gender/sociocultural

Roles critiqued by both toxic masculinity and feminism.

women/female-identifying people

Groups underrepresented in newsrooms.

hard

News topics often dominated by men.

inequality/imbalance/bias

Consequences of a lack of women in leadership positions.

experts/professional spokespeople

Who men are often framed as in news compared to women.

accurate/balanced/diverse

Qualities of coverage produced by inclusive newsrooms.

promotion/advancement/leadership

Opportunities required for equality in newsrooms.

June

The month when the Stonewall Uprising occurred.

brutality/raids/violence

Actions against the LGBTQ+ community during the uprising.

catalyst/birth

The role of Stonewall in LGBTQ+ movements.

1930

Year when the Hays Code was established.

1960

Year when the Hays Code ended.

same-sex

Type of relationships banned under the Hays Code.

coded/erased/hidden/invisible

How queer characters were often treated in media.

gay vague

Subtle hints at LGBTQ+ identity in media.

plausible/strategic/safe

How companies maintain deniability regarding LGBTQ+ representation.

language/symbolism/imagery

Tools used to suggest queerness without confirmation.

profit/tokenism

What 'gay vague' approaches prioritize over honesty.

romantic tension/queer desire

What queer baiting teases without commitment.

ship

Term for encouraging fans to interpret characters as queer.

heteronormative

Norms that queer baiting reinforces.

explicit/visible

Qualities required for authentic queer storytelling.