1. Social Identity and Theories

2. Social Identity Core social identities are: Gender Age Racial/ethnic Sexual orientation National Religious Class When an individual identifies him/herself as a group member, his/her beliefs, interests, and actions tend to become aligned with those of the group.

3. Racial/Ethnic Identity Race—based on genetics Ethnicity—based on heredity, national origin, and culture 1927—Supreme Court overturns anti miscegenation law 2000—Census Bureau provides multiracial option

4. Gender Identity Biological sex— genetic Gender—social construction

5. Sexual Identity

6. Age Identity “My peers and I are portrayed as dependent, helpless, unproductive, and demanding rather than deserving. In reality, the majority of seniors are self- sufficient, middle class consumers with more assets than young people, and the time and talent to offer society.”

7. Class Identity

8. Media Representations Content Analysis Qualitative Analysis Social psychological Critical/cultural Stereotype—beliefs about characteristics or attributes of a social group

9. Theories Framing—a way we process and organize information when we stress certain aspects of reality and de- emphasize others Social Comparison Theory—individuals have a natural drive to compare themselves with others for self- evaluation purposes

10. Theories Socialization—the means by which individuals, beginning at an early age learn about society norms, values, and beliefs.

11. Theories Cultivation Theory— mass media contour or cultivate the viewpoints of individuals regarding their surrounding environment

12. Critical Perspectives

13. Theories Hegemony— dominance of political and social elites over those with less power

14. Representation How we use language, nonverbal symbols and media to convey ideas in our society Three theoretical approaches Reflective Intentional Constructionist

15. Feminist Theory