For my “top artifact one” I choose module four, social cognition. Overall what I gained from this activity is that news, blogs, and reporters will intentionally leave out KEY information in their reports. Due to them leaving out bits of information it causes citizens to fear a number of things that really could be put on the back burner. For example, in 2013, we supposedly were in “cancer epidemic”, which of course caused fright in people all over. In reality, the news left out a few bits of information such as, the only cancer that had risen in numbers at the time was lung cancer. This was due to more amount of Americans picking up smoking as a hobby resulting in a high increase in cancer.

This assignment really did enlighten me on some new information. I would always wonder why the news would focus on the negatives or the conflicts going on. Another thing I always questioned was the affect it had on people and peoples emotions. This module also made me realize sometimes conflicts can be good, because you cant please everyone.

Stereotypes

Stereotypes have been around for the longest time. It’s not necessarily a good thing to judge someone based on a few things or a glance at first sight, but it’s honestly a first nature. The scientific definition of stereotyping is beliefs about social groups in terms of the traits or characteristics that they are believed to share. This also goes hand in hand with the processing of cognitive information.

Stereotypes are an interesting topic because they aren’t stagnate. These adjectives change over time and adjust to the current time periods. According to Daniel Katz and Kenneth Braly research study conducted in 1933 stating that African Americans most common stereotype at the time was lazy and superstitious. This study consisted of the two surveying 100 Princeton University students were asked to choose two adjectives out of a list 84 to describe the corresponding ethnic group.

I think the basis of these black stereotypes are changing due to more African Americans being more publicized for positive things. I also feel these norms are changing because majority of the art world such as music, theatre, artists and much more are made up of the colored community.

Overall, this activity gave me insight on others opinions towards other ethnic groups. Its nice to know how others view you, but at the same time when theres such a negative connotation associated with a group you associate yourself with.