Hvordan kan fremstillinger av mennesker med utviklingshemming i media bidra til sterkere positiv synliggjøring og motvirke stereotypisering og stigmatisering?

Abstract

The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis is to see how people with Intellectual Disabilities are portrayed in media. That brings me to the question of this thesis: «How can portrayal of people with Intellectual Disabilities in media provide more positive visibility and prevent stereotyping and stigma?». As for my method of this thesis I have chosen literature study to try and reply the question. All articles were written in English and were peer reviewed. When I was looking for articles, I was struck by how little research was done in Scandinavia, but especially in Norway. This goes to show that this theme needs more attention. However, the articles didn’t show evident results. Therefore, it’s not one specific answer to this thesis question, but many variable factors that comes to preventing stereotyping and social stigma. What is clear from these articles, is that the media has a lot of power. But it can also change attitudes and stigma to a certain degree, but not over a long period of time.