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This research explores the impact of biases in cinema, such as stereotypes and unequal representation, on viewers' mental health, particularly focusing on underrepresented groups. It aims to identify harmful portrayals and their effects on self-esteem and social identity, while also examining how inaccurate representations of mental health contribute to stigma. The study will analyze various films and propose strategies for filmmakers to create more positive and accurate representations that support mental well-being.

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tanishakhanagav
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2 views

Assignment 1_

This research explores the impact of biases in cinema, such as stereotypes and unequal representation, on viewers' mental health, particularly focusing on underrepresented groups. It aims to identify harmful portrayals and their effects on self-esteem and social identity, while also examining how inaccurate representations of mental health contribute to stigma. The study will analyze various films and propose strategies for filmmakers to create more positive and accurate representations that support mental well-being.

Uploaded by

tanishakhanagav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Developing the Research

Sakshi Kotgirwar
1142220008
TYBA

Assignment Brief: Identifying your broad area of research and selecting the
research topic, Identifying the research problem and writing the statement of
problem, and Developing the Research Questions and Compiling the list of
previous studies.

⮚ Area of Research: This research focuses on how biases in cinema,


such as stereotypes and unequal representation, impact the
mental health of viewers. Movies have a huge influence on how
we see ourselves and the world, so understanding the mental
effects of negative portrayals is really important. The research
combines film studies and psychology to explore how consistent
biases can shape our self-esteem and social identities, especially
for groups who are often underrepresented or misrepresented.

⮚ Aim: This research aims to explore how different biases in movies-


like racial, gender, and cultural stereotypes-affect viewers'
mental health. We know movies can inspire and educate, but they
also have the power to reinforce harmful stereotypes or leave
some groups feeling invisible. When certain groups are always
shown in negative or limited roles, it can shape how viewers see
themselves and how society sees them.
⮚ The goal of this research is to figure out how these biased
portrayals affect people's mental well-being. For example, how do
young people or minority communities feel after seeing
characters who don't look like them or are constantly shown in
negative roles?
⮚ This project will look at a variety of films and analyze how often
these portrayals happen, who they affect the most, and in what
ways. I also want to find out what filmmakers could do to reduce
this harm and make more positive, diverse representations that
support mental health
⮚ Tittle: The Effects of Cinema Biases on Mental Health: How
Representation Impacts
⮚ Viewers

⮚ Research Problem: Cinema is one of the most powerful forms of


media, shaping the way we see ourselves, each other, and the
world.

⮚ But movies are not always fair in how they show people. There
are often biases in how different groups are portrayed, whether
it's based on race, gender, culture, or sexual orientation.

⮚ These biases may seem subtle or even harmless, but they can
have a big impact on how people feel about themselves and
others.

⮚ For instance, people from minority groups, women, or LGBTQ+


communities are often shown in stereotypical roles or left out of
the main story altogether. When they are represented, it's usually
as side characters or villains, which can send a message that
these groups are less important or valuable. Watching these
types of portrayals repeatedly can negatively affect the mental
health of people from these groups, leading them to feel invisible,
inadequate, or misunderstood. For young people, who are still
forming their identity, this can be especially damaging.

⮚ The issue isn't just limited to representation of different social


groups; mental health itself is often inaccurately portrayed in
movies.

⮚ Characters with mental health issues are sometimes shown as


dangerous or unstable, which only adds to the stigma that
already surrounds these conditions.

⮚ This creates a gap between how mental health is seen in movies


and what people experience in real life, which can lead to
misunderstandings and further harm.

⮚ This research will explore the ways in which these biases


influence mental health, especially among those who are most
vulnerable to these portrayals. The goal is to identify the most
harmful stereotypes and figure out how the film industry can do
better in terms of accurate and fair representation, while
promoting mental well-being.

⮚ Research Questions:1. How do biased portrayals of race, gender,


and culture in movies affect the self-esteem and mental health of
people from those groups?
⮚ 2. Does the underrepresentation of certain groups in cinema lead
to feelings of social isolation or invisibility among viewers?
⮚ 3. How does the inaccurate portrayal of mental health in films
contribute to stigma and misunderstandings about mental illness?
⮚ 4. What strategies can filmmakers adopt to create more positive
and accurate representations that benefit viewers' mental health?

⮚ Reading List:
"The Power of Movies: How Screen and Mind Interact" by Colin McGinn
• "Media and Mental Distress" by Greg
Philo
• "Cinema, Identity, and the Representation of Agency" by Professor James
S. Williams
#### Journal Articles:
• Smith, S. L., Choueiti, M., & Pieper, K.
(2020). "Inequality in 1,300 Popular Films: Examining Portrayals of Gender,
Race/Ethnicity, LGBTQ+ &
Disability from 2007 to 2019."
Journal of Media Studies.
• Greenberg, B. S., & Mastro, D.
(2009). "The Role of Stereotypes in the Media's Influence on Mental
Health." Media Psychology.
#### Newspaper Articles:
• "Hollywood's Mental Health Problem:
How Misrepresentation Hurts" (The
Guardian)
• "Bias in Cinema and Its Psychological
Toll" (The New York Times)
Web Resources:
• American Psychological Association
(APA) - Media and Mental Health
Research
• The Representation Project - A nonprofit organization aimed at analyzing
media representation of gender

THANK YOU

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