Summary Of Walter Lippmann's Public Opinion

The origins of the word stereotype date back to the eighteenth century, when it referred to a form of a printing press plate that left a solid, lasting impression. It was not until Walter Lippmann used the term in his 1922 book, Public Opinion, which the word took on its more modern meaning. In chapters, six and seven Lippmann explains his use of the term concerning people. He explores why and when people use stereotypes and why people have different interpretations of the same event. From Lippmann 's characterization of stereotype, he explains why people tend to use them and their effects on the public 's perceptions. For Lippmann, stereotypes begin with the picture in our heads. That is because the outer world is complicated and

A German and a Belgium both seeing the same events transpire could each have entirely different and opposing interpretations. Lippmann points to new twentieth-century theories on the reliability of eyewitnesses to support his hypothesis of stereotypes. German-American psychologist Hugo Munsterberg’s book On the Witness Stand contrary to nineteenth-century conventional wisdom explains why eyewitness accounts may not be reliable. When a witness sees an event, his prior experience tends to cloud the information with how he imagines the experience to unfold. His report, therefore, becomes a joint product of the “knower and known”, making it selective and creative with the facts seen with the eyes. Forensic science pioneer Dr. Edmond Locard explains that witness credibility varies by the witness and the incident, along with the type of senses that perceived the episode. Touch, odor and taste exhibit low threshold of evidential value. The direction of sounds and their source are also faulty and subjective. Even visual perceptions are subject to significant errors in estimates of distance and sizes of crowds. Add tricks of memory and the unremitting creations of the imagination, the weaknesses of the senses are further complicated. Lippmann cites an experiment with forty trained observers of a public holiday masquerade ball. A door

Finally, we may want to think in the twenty-first century that we have moved beyond viewing events through the lens of our stereotype imaginations. However, the reality is stereotypes are as prevalent today as they were when Lippmann first applied the term to human behavior. The recent events in Ferguson, Missouri point to stereotypes run amok. Most likely it was preconceived stereotype notions by both Michael Brown and police officer Darren Wilson that perpetuated the first conflict resulting in the death of Michael Brown. Mass media and popular culture have long propagated the stereotype “thug” in both positive and negative modes depending on the context and audience. While, amongst peers, young men may take the stereotype of “thug” to be a badge of honor, the same stereotype applied from figures of authority can have disastrous results. Eyewitnesses to the Michael Brown shooting interpreted the event much in line with “trained observers” of the brawl at the masquerade ball. The stereotype of police brutality on young men of color lead to witnesses testifying to have seen Michael Brown was shot in the back with “hands up don’t shoot.” Even though this narrative was contrary to forensic evidence, it did not stop the media from further perpetuating the story and reinforcing the stereotypes. When Lippmann first applied the term stereotype, he was well aware of the original meaning of a firm, unwavering imprint. Perhaps the first step to overcoming these solid, lasting