Representing fear; moral panics in the press and online (3)

The role of stereotypes
Author: Richard Dyer (1999)

Within this essay, Dyer talks about the different ways stereotypes are used to define certain groups within society. Broken down into four sections 'An ordering process', 'Short cut', 'Reference', 'Expression of values'.

Examples used within this: Alcoholics, Dumb blonde, Gay people within film

• "Stereotypes as a form of 'ordering' the mass of complex and inchoate date that we receive from the world are only a particular form- to do with the representation and categorisation of persons"

Useful when talking about stereotyping people online.

• 'The type is any character constructed through the use of a few immediately recognisable and defining traits, which do not change of 'develop' through the course of the narrative.' 

This quote could be used when trying to define some 'Stereotypical online users' eg. Troll, Hacker, Stalker, Bully.

• "Stereotypes proclaim, 'this is what everyone--you, me and us-- thinks members of such and such a social group are like'."