Psychology

Gender and Age Roles in Magazine Advertisements

In this project, you will investigate gender and age stereotypes in magazines. Look at one widely circulated magazine, and evaluate how ads depict males and females of various ages (adolescence, and early, middle, and late adulthood). You should evaluate physical appearance, personality, and behaviors as they are depicted in the magazine ads. You must use the data sheet provided below to help organize your impressions. After completing the data collection, write a brief report that answers the questions that follow.

Questions:

• Are all age groups represented in advertisements?

• Who is underrepresented and overrepresented? Why do you think this is so?

• Compare the various groups in terms of the characteristics used to portray them. What generalizations about age and gender do these portrayals convey? Write a well thought analysis (about 200 words) on the comparison.

Data Sheet for Gender and Age Roles in Magazine Advertisements

Magazine Title _____

Issue Date _____

Number of Ads _____

ADOLESCENTS

BOYS

GIRLS

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality

Other:

YOUNG ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other:

MIDDLE ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other:

OLD ADULTS

MEN

WOMEN

Physical appearance:

Body message:

Clothes:

Facial expressions:

Personality:

Intelligence:

Activities:

Verbal comments:

Sexuality:

Other: