To resolve stereotypes generated by groups as Goad suggests, education would help placate people by addressing their fears and providing them with tools to reduce anxiety and insecurities that arise when one encounters a member of a different ethnic or cultural background. (the uncertainty reduction theory suggests most people tend to amass feelings of insecurity and anxiety when approached by members of a group unknown to them Mullin & Hogg, 1999). Another theory commonly used to explain group behaviors is the social identity theory, suggesting the "motivating force" for people's self-identity or positive feelings of one's self is gained through the "membership" or acceptance of certain groups that hold similar ideals or ethnocentric beliefs as stated previous (Mullin & Hogg, 91). Both of these theories, the social identity theory and the uncertainty reduction model provide explanation for why many people still hold prejudice opinions of the group labeled "redneck." The uncertainty reduction model tends to entice members of a group to embrace their "group membership" and hence exclude others (Mullin & Hogg, 91). Mullin & Hogg (1999) suggests in many groups including those that are labeled "cultish" or "totalist" it may however, be difficult or perhaps impossible to change their beliefs about "rednecks" because this would deviate from the norm they are accustomed to (Mullin & Hogg, 1999). These same groups as now evidenced derive their self-identity, or "who" they are on their membership, and subsequently adopt cognitive processes they correlate with their group membership identity (Mullin & Hogg, 1999). This in turn results in what Mullin & Hogg deem "groupie behaviors" including stereotyping certain individuals including those of low socio-economic status or education as "rednecks" (p. 91). Other philosophers and sociologies supporting the belief that the uncertainty reduction method and social identity theory correlate directly with stereotyping include Hogg & Abrams, 1988; Turner & Giles, 1981; Turner, 1982, 1991; & Robinson, 1996).
These methods and theories can correlate also with the communication accommodation theory, which proposes communicative markers also help build social identity by influencing the way individuals talk with a listener (Street & Giles, 1982). Communication accommodation theory also suggests people within a group may change the way they talk, dress or communicate subconsciously to match the style of others the group communicate with; on the other side of the coin, communication accommodation theory proposes social identity can be distinguished from others when a group or person purposely changes their style of communication so they are not seen as "similar" to others in the group (Giles & Wiemann, 1987).
Stereotypes in Television
The redneck stereotype is often found in television for the reasons stated above. Stereotypes on television often reflect the morals, ethical behaviors and customary beliefs about certain groups in society. Booker (2002) notes many shows utilize cultural stereotypes including the stereotype of a redneck to build the plot; stereotypes used on shows like the X-files for example demonstrated "degeneracy, inbreeding, and a tendency toward abject violence" to describe common beliefs held of rednecks and other cultural groups (Booker, 135).
Many have compared the character "Mulder's vision" on the X-files as similar to the vision held in the television town "Mayberry" which many might consider a redneck town (Booker 136). Many small towns use the town of "Mayberry" according to Booker (2002) as the "paradigm" or model for living, except in redneck "Mayberry-like" towns there is more discussion and inference of "inbred white trash" (Booker, 2002). The use of such stereotypes is common because people enjoy it and find stereotyping others more relieving than self-stereotyping or anxiety. Many television shows also focus on the "paragons of depravity and degeneracy believed to originate in the South" as demonstrated by violence that disrupts the home and transforms good habits into bad ones (Booker, 2002). The southern whites in the X-files for example are portrayed often as lowly and degenerate in nature (Booker, 2002).
Booker (2002) actually acknowledges Goad's (1997) interpretation of rednecks and stereotypes as white trash, suggesting these individuals are "the last remaining American social group against whom it is acceptable to employ sweeping negative stereotypes" (p.14). The two others refer to stereotyping of rednecks as "classism" more so than "racism" (Booker, 169).
Harkins (2004) notes the television show "The Beverly Hillbillies" is among the first to demonstrate this growing acceptance of producing negative stereotypes of rednecks...
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