Question

A nurse is analyzing the media images that influence society's beliefs about poor persons. Which of the following is the nurse most likely to see? (Select all that apply.)

a.Poor persons are often cast as lazy, shiftless folk.
b.Poor people are shown receiving food at soup kitchens.
c.Criminals are portrayed as poor, desperate persons.
d.Homeless people are seen sleeping on park benches.
e.Criminals are seen as individuals who have been discriminated against.

Answer 1

The nurse is likely to see media images that overrepresent African Americans as poor, portray poor individuals as lazy or criminal, and contribute to stereotypes influencing societal perceptions and policy decisions on poverty.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse analyzes the media images influencing society's beliefs about poor persons, they may observe various recurrent themes. Firstly, the media often overrepresent African Americans as poor, creating a perception that poverty primarily affects this community rather than being a multi-racial issue. This misrepresentation includes the tendency to show images of African Americans when discussing unemployment or poverty while excluding other races, the elderly, and the young.

Secondly, media depictions can contribute to the stereotype of poor persons as lazy or criminal, reinforcing negative views about poverty. This is often manifested in portrayals of poor people receiving help at soup kitchens, engaging in criminal activities due to desperation, or as homeless individuals sleeping on public benches.

Lastly, the framing used by the media can have significant implications on public perception and policy, potentially leading to discrimination or skewed views about the causation of poverty. Images of African Americans overrepresented as criminals in media reports on crime and welfare may result in voters supporting candidates who promise to reduce welfare benefits based on these influenced perceptions.