Here is my topic proposal and the annotated bibliography: Topic
Proposal: In this paper, I am planning to look at the stereotypes placed
on characters in movies. In my preliminary research, I have observed
the labels and how each gender, race, and personalities are portrayed in
films of all genres. I would like to argue the reason why we foreshadow
one’s fate based on how they are represented in the movie. We are
exposed to stereotypes every day in the media, movies, T.V. shows, and
in books.
I want to question the reason behind stereotypes.
Why do we place depictions on people?
Why does movie directors assume characters act a certain way based on their looks and interests?
How does stereotypes effect our lives and how can we eliminate these labels placed on our society?
I want my project to question the way people think about stereotypes,
focus on how we can limit stereotypes, and how movies have stopped
stereotyping.
Secondary Sources:
● McLeod, S. A. (2008). Stereotypes. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html
In this article, McLeod goes into depth as to why we stereotype and how
it narrows our ability to learn about others. He points out that “By
stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole range of characteristics
and abilities that we assume all members of that group have.
Stereotypes lead tosocial categorization, which is one of the reasons
for prejudice attitudes (i.e. “them” and “us” mentality) which leads to
in-groups and out-groups.” He also explains the pros and cons of
stereotyping and the way we stereotype based on races and others
beliefs. This article is a great starting point to my essay because I
could define stereotyping then go more into depth as to why we
stereotype and how it affects our lives on a daily basis. Mcleod has
made many strong statements about stereotyping that could back up my
essay. I think that if my readers understand why we stereotype it could
change the way we behave.
● Stossel, John, and Frank Mastropolo. “Hollywood’s Stereotypes.” ABC
News. ABC News Network, 08 Sept. 2006. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. Published on
ABC new’s website, Stossel and Mastropolo talk about the influence
Hollywood has on stereotyping. They begin the article by talking about
the famous stereotypes of different races. They also point out how
progress has been made in Hollywood and how recent movies are changing
the way we see certain races. They state that “Beginning in the silent
film era, blacks were mainly portrayed by Hollywood as fools and
servants. But movie roles have changed for blacks. Since the 1971 movie
“Shaft,” starring Richard Roundtree as a private eye, blacks have played
most every type of humanity.” The end the article by showing how
stereotyping in Hollywood has angered many people of different groups
and how they react to this situation when they see stereotyping in
action. Not only does this article give insight on how Hollywood
incorporates stereotyping in movies, but it shows how actors have dealt
with the stereotyped roles they are assigned. This article opens the
minds of others and shows them that although we may enjoy movies with
stereotypes presented in it the actors who are casted for those roles do
get their feelings hurt.
● Nittle, Nadra K. “Common Stereotypes of Minorities in Film and
Television.” About.com News & Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
In this article by Nadra Nittle, she explains the stereotypes of
minorities in films and television. She goes into depth of the
stereotypes in many different races including blacks, Hispanics, Native
Americans, Arab Americans and Asian Americans. She explains that
although our nation has come a long way, we still place representations
of different groups in movies and television. This article consists of 5
other articles that explain the way each race is represented in films
and television. This information could be used to support the depictions
behind certain races. Although we may not notice the stereotypes being
placed, by reading this article it could help us realize that movies and
television are forcing these labels on other races into our minds.
● Edwards, Linn. “Study Demonstrates Evolution of Stereotypes.” Study
Demonstrates Evolution of Stereotypes. Science X Network, 07 Sept.
2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2015. This article is about an experiment performed
at the University of Aberdeen by a research team lead by Dr. Doug
Martin. The experiment explains the way stereotypes are formed and how
we place labels on others based on their characteristics.”Dr. Martin
said the process seen in the research reflects the oversimplified nature
of stereotypes, with social groups (and ourselves) categorized and
assigned attributes, and he suggested that they form to help us make
sense of the world around us and to give us some basic information as a
starting point. The stereotype may turn out not to be applicable to a
particular individual, but is nevertheless useful initially.” In
conclusion, Dr. Doug Martin states that stereotypes can be changed over
time and are not fixed. I felt as though this experiment will add
scientific reasoning behind stereotypes and help us understand that we
do not purposely place these labels on others. With the findings from
this experiment we can learn more about the natural instinct to
stereotype and how we can avoid or change the way we perceive others.
● Colebank, Jeff. “Top 10 Most Stereotyped Characters in Horror
Films.” HNN Horrornewsnet Official News Site. Horror News, 04 Oct. 2011.
Web. 24 Nov. 2015. This article is written by a fellow horror movie
junkie. He lists the top 10 stereotyped characters that are presented in
horror films. Each topic is titled by how we see them in the movie and
is explained in detail who they are and what their fate is at the end of
the movie. Although this is an article based on the author’s
observations, it is a reliable source because his depictions of the
characters are cliche and do relate to every horror movie you watch.
This source would be helpful in my article because the author points out
very specifically the roles of each character in horror movies and
explains their fate in the end. This is a fun source to include in my
essay and it would tie in the topic of my essay which is the stereotypes
placed on characters in horror movies. This article could also relate
back to why we portray each person the way do based on their
characteristics.
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