Representation of different ethnic groups in the media While looking at issues related to education and ethnicity, I became interested in how ethnic groups were represented in the media. Even though I haven't studied this before, I wanted to do something different, but still apply the fundamental theories I've studied. I've noticed how there seems to be a trend in all areas involving ethnicity, and I personally feel that there is racism and under-representation of ethnic groups on television, and certainly inequalities in print. The media has a huge effect on our perception of life and self-concept, and reinforces stereotypical ideals, and it seems that ethnic minorities tend to be characterized as uneducated, illiterate and evil role models. Therefore the purpose of this research is to see how people feel. about how the media represents all ethnic groups and whether they think they are being stereotyped. (139) CONTEXT AND CONCEPTS My first concept is the cultural effects model which sees the media as a very powerful group influence, but also sees it as very diverse, and one type of audience response may vary from another. However, there is an anticipated response, known as preferred reading. Those inexperienced in cultural diversity are more likely to accept what is shown and therefore make generalizations from what they see to what they think. We therefore make generalizations or stereotypical views of different members of society. This is my second concept. A stereotype is a conventional image of a person or group. Stereotypes generally conform to a pattern of dress or behavior. To BBC newsarti...... half sheet....... With closed questions there is the possibility of producing quantitative data, however with this research the sample chosen is too small to have general reliability. the main problem with the design method is the ethnicity variable. I purposely chose not to check this, and so it might present some problems, as far as interpretation goes, and also, ethically, it produces a sensitivity; both as a researcher and for the participant. Another problem with interviews, especially if ethnicity is not taken into account, is the effect on what the interviewee perhaps thinks they should answer. If race and/or stereotypes are a major problem in society, participants may come to generalize and defend their own social group or that of others..