PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

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Student Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX1540 The Psychology of Human Differences and Society

Prof. Name

Date

Killing Us Softly Worksheet

Directions

Please follow the directions carefully for each part of this worksheet. There are five main parts to complete.

Preparation

Before working on this assessment, ensure you have watched Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women by Jean Kilbourne (2010).

Part 1: Connecting Concepts

Scoring Criterion

Describe the effects of culture, ethnicity, and diversity on the human experience.

Purpose

The goal of this part is to connect ideas from two distinct sources—a textbook and a documentary—to construct a cohesive understanding of how media influences perceptions of women and cultural groups.

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 consistent portrayal of cultural stereotypes related to women, people of color, and marginalized groups within mainstream media reinforces negative assumptions and expectations about those groups. This continual exposure leads to the normalization of bias and shapes public attitudes toward minority populations (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
2. Quote or summarize from the video Killing Us Softly information regarding the effects of stereotypes expressed in media.	Killing Us Softly 4 reveals how advertising perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes by objectifying women and promoting unattainable ideals of beauty. The film demonstrates how media representations distort self-image, creating unrealistic standards of femininity that contribute to body dissatisfaction and gender inequality (Kilbourne, 2010).
3. Compare the video’s thoughts to the textbook explanation—what do they have in common?	Both the documentary and the textbook emphasize how media shapes societal perceptions through repeated exposure to stereotypes. They agree that these portrayals objectify women, normalize gender inequality, and reinforce cultural biases that influence how both women and men view female identity.

Putting It Together

Main Idea:
Stereotypes in the media—particularly those involving women—foster unrealistic beauty ideals and strengthen harmful gender expectations.

Paragraph (MEAL Plan):
Media representations play a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes and beliefs about gender and cultural identity. The widespread portrayal of stereotypes involving women and minority groups in various forms of media perpetuates damaging assumptions about their roles and worth (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020). Kilbourne’s (2010) Killing Us Softly 4 exposes how advertising not only objectifies women but also constructs an unattainable image of perfection that affects self-esteem and social expectations. Both sources highlight the damaging consequences of these portrayals, emphasizing that such depictions contribute to a cycle of unrealistic beauty standards and the normalization of sexism within society.

Part 2: Thinking Errors

Scoring Criterion

Describe the relationship between common fallacies in thinking and inaccurate conclusions.

Purpose

To strengthen critical thinking by recognizing how biases, such as sociocentric thinking, contribute to distorted perceptions and poor reasoning.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Sociocentric thinking: Quote the Capella webpage on critical thinking and its explanation of sociocentric thinking.	Sociocentric thinking is problematic because it prioritizes the beliefs and assumptions of one’s social group, often leading to a false sense of superiority or correctness. This mindset can only be overcome through open-minded and culturally aware critical thinking that questions collective bias (Capella University, n.d.).
2. Quote or summarize from the video Killing Us Softly regarding the social assumptions behind advertising’s portrayal of women.	Killing Us Softly 4 demonstrates that advertising is deeply rooted in sociocentric ideals by presenting women through the lens of male-dominated cultural standards. The film highlights that these depictions reinforce the notion that a woman’s worth is tied to her physical attractiveness and domestic role (Kilbourne, 2010).
3. Compare the video description with Capella’s explanation—what do they have in common?	Both sources reveal how sociocentric thinking maintains societal norms that marginalize women. They agree that challenging these portrayals through critical awareness and questioning can lead to more equitable and empowering representations.

Putting It Together

Main Idea:
Sociocentric thinking sustains gender bias, but cultivating critical thinking enables individuals to challenge these harmful portrayals and foster social change.

Paragraph (MEAL Plan):
Sociocentric thinking reinforces systemic inequality by validating group-based assumptions and excluding alternative perspectives. This type of collective bias hinders fair judgment and perpetuates social hierarchies (Capella University, n.d.). In Killing Us Softly 4, Kilbourne (2010) shows how advertising reflects sociocentric ideals that confine women to narrow definitions of beauty and worth. Both the textbook and the documentary emphasize the importance of developing critical awareness to confront these ingrained societal beliefs. Through critical thinking, individuals can deconstruct biased narratives and advocate for media that celebrates diversity and authenticity.

Part 3: Self-Reflection

Scoring Criterion

Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in oneself and others.

Purpose

This activity encourages personal awareness of implicit bias by examining one’s results from the Implicit Association Test (IAT).

Directions	Your Response
Share your impressions of the Implicit Association Test in two or three sentences.	The Implicit Association Test revealed how subtle biases can influence our attitudes toward different social groups, even when we consciously reject prejudice. It became evident that many of these biases are internalized through societal conditioning and cultural exposure, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and reflection.
Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in yourself and/or others. Use examples from the textbook or video.	The influence of advertising on beauty perceptions has impacted my own understanding of attractiveness and gender roles. Similar to what Kilbourne (2010) discussed, I realize that my own standards of appearance may have been shaped by the idealized images presented in media. Recognizing these biases allows for greater empathy and conscious efforts to challenge discrimination in myself and others.

Part 4: Bias and Communication

Scoring Criterion

Describe the relationship between culture, value, bias, and misunderstandings in communication.

Purpose

To explore how stereotypes and biases can distort interpersonal communication and hinder mutual understanding.

Directions	Your Response
1. Quote your textbook’s explanation of the effects of stereotypes on communication.	During intercultural interactions, individuals may unconsciously project stereotypes and assumptions that distort how messages are sent and received. Such biases can impede genuine understanding and empathy, limiting the effectiveness of communication (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 often spoken to condescendingly by management, as though she lacked professional competence. Despite her qualifications, linguistic bias led others to underestimate her intelligence and contributions.
3. Compare the textbook’s example to your experience—what do they have in common?	Both examples highlight how preconceived notions and linguistic biases can distort communication and foster inequality. They show that when we rely on stereotypes instead of open dialogue, we limit opportunities for mutual respect and understanding.

Part 5: Diversity and Careers

Scoring Criterion

Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse work environments.

Purpose

To apply course concepts to real-world professional contexts by analyzing a job posting related to diversity.

Directions	Your Response
Did the job posting mention diversity or equal opportunity? Quote the posting and provide a link.	The job posting stated, “Applicants must demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and organizational backgrounds.” (Organizational Development Jobs, Google.com).
Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse environments.	The modern workplace is inherently diverse, encompassing people of various cultural, ethnic, and generational backgrounds. Embracing diversity fosters creativity, broadens perspectives, and enhances problem-solving. When individuals learn to communicate respectfully across differences, they contribute to inclusive environments that drive innovation and equity.

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].