Instrument Development: Portrayal Of Asians In Sitcoms

RESEARCH FOR ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TRF 696
Assignment 3: Instrument Development.
Contributors: Bindya Kannappa, Nuo Yin, Sijia Le

Research objective:

What does the portrayal of Asians in sitcoms suggest to the American population? Would change in the stereotype portrayal of Asians increase the chances of having a better conducive work environment?

Units of Analysis:

Our identified unit of analysis will include 2 focus groups.

Focus group 1:
Ethnicity : Asian Americans and Native Asians.
Number of people in a group: 6.

Focus group 2:
Ethnicity: Americans of mixed race (Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic).
Number of people in a group: 6.

Criteria:
1: Demographic: University students of the age group 18-35.
2: Exposure to the television
shows in question.
3: Exposure to a global working culture.

Measuring Instrument: Focus Group Guide:

The two focus groups will be presented with 4 clips from television sitcoms The Big Bang Theory and 2 Broke Girls which portray stereotyped Asian characters. The two groups are dealt with separately. After each clip is showcased the groups will discuss the content of the clip. The discussion will include a moderator to make sure members don’t go off topic. No prior suggestions regarding the clips content or the research objective is stated to any of the group member. The focus group will be presented with questions after they have figured out the research objective which would be determined by their choice of words during the discussion, which might include racism, stereotypes, misrepresentation.. Etcetera. The focus group guide will last for a duration of 15-20 per group.

The clips presented to them includes:

1: Afraid to talk to women: The Big Bang Theory
Stereotype: Asian men as non sexual beings.

This clip subtly pushed forth the idea of Asian men not being courageous enough to ask a woman out in turn representing the idea that they are not someone worthy of pursuing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wav-mP9EUMc

2: Your clock is small: 2 Broke Girls
Stereotype: Asian men as non sexual beings.

This clip pushed forth the stereotypical idea that all Asian men have low sexual prowess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThBtJpAMdM

3: Asians don’t make mistake: 2 Broke Girls
Stereotype: All Asians are good at mathematics

This clip is suggestive of the stereotype that all Asians are smart and are able to solve anything math.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yQULP-P5q8

4: Racist iPhone: The Big Bang Theory

Names are part of a person's identity and the fact that most Asians change names for the sake of convenience makes them live with a an identity that is not entirely their own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0fzqUCVlgw

Questions for discussion:

As mentioned earlier, these questions will be directed to the group members only after certain topics are put on the table.
Focus group 1:
1: Do you think Asians are misrepresented?
2: In your opinion, what do you associate your culture with?
3: Does it affect you, if yes, how?

Focus group 2:
1: Do you think Asians are misrepresented?
2: In your opinion, what do you associate their culture with?
3: How does it affect your opinion?

The analysis will include the opinions put forth by the group members, an analysis of the shows reach (the target audience) and a recounts from twitter regarding the shows racist
content.

Sources:

H.
(2012). 2 Broke Girls - You Can't Tell an Asian He Made a Mistake. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yQULP-P5q8

N. (2014). Heightism Discrimination Towards Short Asian Guy Han - 2 Broke Girls S03E15. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThBtJpAMdM

Z. (2011). RACIST IPHONE. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0fzqUCVlgw

M. (2009). The Big Bang Theory-Howard's Indian Accent[HD]. Retrieved October 09, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wav-mP9EUMc