PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

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Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX1540 The Psychology of Human Differences and Society

Prof. Name

Date

Killing Us Softly Worksheet

Directions

Follow the directions carefully for each part. Complete all five sections as indicated.

Preparation

Before beginning this worksheet, ensure that you have viewed Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women by Jean Kilbourne. This documentary provides the foundation for much of the analysis throughout this assessment.

Part 1: Connecting Concepts

Scoring Criterion: Describe the effects of culture, ethnicity, and diversity on the human experience.
Purpose: Identify related pieces of information from two different sources, then synthesize these ideas to form a coherent paragraph.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Stereotypes expressed in the media: Quote your textbook’s explanation of the effects of stereotypes expressed in media.	The prevalence of cultural stereotypes involving women, Black individuals, and other minority groups in mainstream media reinforces harmful beliefs and attitudes toward these populations. Such repetition of stereotypes perpetuates unconscious bias and normalizes discrimination in everyday life (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
2. Quote or summarize from the video Killing Us Softly information regarding the effects of stereotypes expressed in media.	The documentary Killing Us Softly 4 reveals how media depictions of women contribute to distorted societal perceptions. Through idealized and sexualized portrayals, advertisements reduce women to objects of beauty and desire, promoting unattainable beauty standards that shape both women’s self-esteem and public perception (Kilbourne, 2010).
3. Compare the video’s thoughts to the textbook explanation—what do they have in common?	Both the textbook and the documentary emphasize the normalization of gender stereotypes in media. While Killing Us Softly focuses on advertisements that objectify women, the textbook underscores the pervasive cultural impact of these depictions, showing how they reinforce expectations of femininity and limit women’s societal roles.

Putting It Together

Main Idea: Media stereotypes, particularly those about women, uphold unrealistic beauty ideals and reinforce detrimental gender norms.

Stereotypes in media, particularly those involving women, reinforce unrealistic expectations of beauty and perpetuate harmful gender roles. According to Blaine and Brenchley (2020), the widespread use of cultural stereotypes across media platforms continually reinforces negative assumptions about marginalized groups, including women and minorities. Kilbourne (2010) extends this argument by illustrating how advertising objectifies women, portraying them as decorative or submissive figures rather than as individuals with agency. Both sources agree that these depictions not only influence how society perceives women but also how women perceive themselves, sustaining inequality through cultural repetition.

Part 2: Thinking Errors

Scoring Criterion: Describe the relationship between common fallacies in thinking and inaccurate conclusions.
Purpose: Strengthen critical thinking skills by identifying sociocentric biases and their effects.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Sociocentric thinking: Quote the Capella webpage on critical thinking and its explanation of sociocentric thinking.	Sociocentric thinking occurs when individuals accept the views and values of their social group as inherently correct. This type of thinking can lead to biased judgments and collective errors, as group loyalty overrides independent reasoning (Capella University, n.d.).
2. Quote or summarize from the video Killing Us Softly information regarding the social assumptions behind advertising’s portrayal of women.	Killing Us Softly 4 discusses how advertising is built on collective cultural assumptions that value women primarily for their physical attractiveness. The media’s reliance on these assumptions normalizes the objectification of women, reinforcing narrow definitions of femininity and worth (Kilbourne, 2010).
3. Compare the video description of the social assumptions behind advertising portrayals of women with Capella’s webpage on critical thinking on sociocentric thinking—what do they have in common?	Both the video and the concept of sociocentric thinking highlight how societal norms shape perception. Advertising, influenced by collective cultural beliefs, perpetuates biases that go unquestioned until individuals engage in critical reflection.

Putting It Together

Main Idea: Sociocentric thinking perpetuates gender bias, but critical thinking can challenge these damaging portrayals.

Sociocentric thinking fosters the continuation of harmful stereotypes by prioritizing group consensus over truth. As Capella University (n.d.) notes, individuals often adopt the thinking patterns of their social groups, mistaking shared bias for factual understanding. Kilbourne (2010) demonstrates this in Killing Us Softly 4, explaining that advertising reflects and reinforces cultural norms that define women through limited and often demeaning lenses. Both sources emphasize the importance of questioning collective assumptions to promote equitable and empowering representations of women in media.

Part 3: Self-Reflection

Scoring Criterion: Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in oneself and others.
Purpose: Develop a deeper understanding of implicit bias and self-awareness.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
Share your impressions of the Implicit Association Test in two or three sentences.	The Implicit Association Test (IAT) revealed how unconscious associations influence perceptions of social groups. It was surprising to recognize that even well-intentioned individuals may harbor implicit biases favoring lighter skin tones or certain social groups, highlighting the pervasive nature of societal conditioning.
Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in yourself and/or others. You can use examples from the textbook or the video Killing Us Softly.	Media representations have subtly shaped my own standards of attractiveness and success. Similar to Kilbourne’s (2010) argument, I realized that I had internalized many of the unrealistic expectations perpetuated by advertising, affecting how I view both myself and others. Recognizing these biases is the first step toward dismantling them.

Part 4: Bias and Communication

Scoring Criterion: Describe the relationship between culture, value, bias, and misunderstandings in communication.
Purpose: Apply concepts of bias to improve interpersonal and intercultural communication.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Quote your textbook’s explanation of the effects of stereotypes on communication.	In cross-cultural communication, stereotypes unconsciously shape both how we interpret others’ messages and how we convey our own. These biases often prevent authentic understanding and empathy across cultural or linguistic differences (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
2. Describe an example of communication between diverse people from your life or from the media.	In a previous workplace, a colleague who spoke English as a second language was frequently spoken to in a condescending manner by supervisors. Despite her high intelligence and professional skill, language bias caused others to underestimate her competence.
3. Compare the textbook’s example to the example you provided—what do they have in common?	Both scenarios demonstrate how unconscious stereotypes influence communication quality. In my example, linguistic bias mirrored the gender and cultural stereotypes discussed in the textbook—both resulting in diminished respect and reduced opportunity for genuine dialogue.

Paragraph

Stereotypes deeply influence how individuals interpret and engage in communication. Blaine and Brenchley (2020) explain that unconscious bias can distort how messages are received and understood, creating barriers to mutual understanding. My own experiences confirm this, as I observed a coworker being treated unfairly due to assumptions tied to her accent and cultural background. Both examples demonstrate that dismantling bias requires active listening, empathy, and self-awareness to promote respectful cross-cultural communication.

Part 5: Diversity and Careers

Scoring Criterion: Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse work environments.
Purpose: Connect course learning to practical workplace applications.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
Did the job opening you found mention diversity or working with diverse populations or being equal opportunity? Quote the job posting and provide the link to the posting.	The job listing stated, “We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity at all organizational levels.” (Organizational Development Jobs, Google.com)
Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse work environments.	Functioning effectively within a diverse workplace enhances collaboration, innovation, and cultural understanding. When individuals from different backgrounds share perspectives, organizations benefit from a richer exchange of ideas and a more inclusive decision-making process. Diversity not only strengthens problem-solving but also reflects ethical and socially responsible business practices.

References

Blaine, B. E., & Brenchley, K. J. M. (2020). Understanding the psychology of diversity (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Capella University. (n.d.). Sociocentric thinking. Retrieved from https://campus.capella.edu/critical-thinking/qualities-of-the-thinker/egocentric-and-sociocentric-thinking/sociocentric-thinking

PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

Kilbourne, J. (Producer). (2010). Killing us softly 4: Advertising’s image of women [Video].

Organizational Development Jobs. (n.d.). Google Careers. Retrieved from https://www.google.com

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