PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 2 Killing Us Softly Worksheet

Student 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 section. Complete all five parts of the worksheet thoughtfully and thoroughly.

Preparation

Before completing this assessment, ensure that 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 purpose of this section is to connect relevant information from two distinct sources — your textbook and the documentary — to understand how cultural stereotypes influence human perception and behavior.

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. (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020)	The widespread reinforcement of cultural stereotypes involving women, racial minorities, and marginalized groups in media results in the continuous validation of distorted beliefs and assumptions about these populations (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
*2. From the video Killing Us Softly:* Summarize the effects of stereotypes expressed in media. (Kilbourne, 2010)	In Killing Us Softly, Kilbourne (2010) reveals how advertising normalizes unattainable beauty ideals and objectifies women. She argues that such portrayals lead women to internalize harmful perceptions about body image and self-worth, influencing societal expectations of femininity.
3. Comparison: What do the two sources have in common?	Both the textbook and the documentary emphasize that the media’s depiction of women reinforces gender inequality. While Kilbourne (2010) focuses on advertising’s sexualized imagery, Blaine and Brenchley (2020) stress how stereotypes reinforce limited social roles for women, confining them to submissive or domestic positions.

Putting It Together

Stereotypes in media, particularly regarding the portrayal of women, perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and reinforce harmful gender roles. According to Blaine and Brenchley (2020), the normalization of such stereotypes in popular culture leads to biased attitudes that are repeatedly learned and rehearsed. Similarly, Kilbourne (2010) demonstrates how advertisements diminish women to decorative objects, promoting unattainable ideals of beauty that distort women’s self-perception. Both sources collectively reveal how gendered stereotypes in media sustain a culture that values appearance over substance, limiting the way women are perceived and treated in society.

Part 2: Thinking Errors

Scoring Criterion:

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

Purpose:

This section aims to cultivate critical thinking by identifying and challenging biased assumptions.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Sociocentric thinking: Quote the Capella webpage’s definition. (Capella University, n.d.)	Sociocentric thinking is harmful because it relies on the collective validation of a social group’s beliefs, often grounded in superiority or righteousness. Engaging in critical thinking allows individuals to recognize and question such flawed group-based assumptions (Capella University, n.d.).
*2. From the video Killing Us Softly:* Explain the social assumptions behind advertising’s portrayal of women. (Kilbourne, 2010)	Kilbourne (2010) argues that advertisements reflect and reinforce social assumptions that equate a woman’s value with her physical appearance. This narrow depiction reduces women to their bodies and confines their worth within domestic or sexual roles.
3. Comparison: What do they have in common?	Both highlight the dangers of unexamined cultural beliefs. Capella (n.d.) discusses how sociocentric thinking sustains biased reasoning, while Kilbourne (2010) illustrates how advertising perpetuates collective stereotypes about women that go largely unchallenged in society.

Putting It Together

Sociocentric thinking reinforces damaging gender stereotypes; however, critical thinking allows individuals to confront and dismantle these biased portrayals. According to Capella University (n.d.), sociocentric thinking is sustained by social approval and group conformity, making it difficult for individuals to recognize harmful assumptions. Kilbourne (2010) demonstrates this through advertising’s depiction of women, where conformity to beauty norms becomes a social expectation. Both sources stress the importance of self-awareness and independent thought to challenge media-driven distortions and foster more empowering representations of women.

Part 3: Self-Reflection

Scoring Criterion:

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

Preparation:

Complete the Implicit Association Test (IAT) at https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html.

Purpose:

This section promotes self-awareness regarding implicit biases and the unconscious formation of prejudice.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Share your impressions of the IAT.	The Implicit Association Test was eye-opening, revealing how quickly we form subconscious associations. I realized that even unintentional thoughts can reveal implicit preferences or biases toward certain groups, particularly regarding race and gender.
2. Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in yourself and/or others.	I recognize that societal messaging has subtly shaped my perceptions of attractiveness and gender roles. Media exposure has normalized certain beauty ideals that influence how I perceive myself and others, similar to the dynamics explored in Killing Us Softly (Kilbourne, 2010).

Part 4: Bias and Communication

Scoring Criterion:

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

Purpose:

To understand how stereotypes and bias interfere with effective communication across diverse groups.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Quote the textbook’s explanation of the effects of stereotypes on communication. (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020)	During interactions with individuals from different backgrounds, stereotypes often unconsciously shape how we interpret and respond to them. This process hinders our ability to empathize and listen objectively (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
2. Provide 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 addressed in a patronizing tone, as though she lacked intelligence. Ironically, she was one of the most competent team members.
3. Compare your example to the textbook.	Both scenarios highlight how stereotypes distort communication. In my example, linguistic differences led to condescending treatment, while the textbook explains that preconceived assumptions disrupt empathy and active listening.

Part 5: Diversity and Careers

Scoring Criterion:

Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse work environments.

Purpose:

To connect cultural awareness with professional development and inclusive workplace practices.

Directions and Responses

Directions	Your Response
1. Job posting: Did it mention diversity or equal opportunity? Include the link.	The job listing requested applicants who can “communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels and from diverse backgrounds.” (Organizational Development Jobs, n.d.). Google Jobs Link
2. Explain the importance of working effectively in diverse environments.	Effective collaboration within a diverse workplace enhances creativity, problem-solving, and cultural competence. Exposure to varied perspectives fosters empathy, equity, and innovation, creating a stronger, more inclusive professional environment.

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