Close Menu
The London News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Vimeo
    The London News
    Subscribe Login
    • Tech
    • Fitness & Health
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle
    The London News
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise With Us
    Home»Lifestyle»TV shows reinforce stereotypes about eco-friendly consumers
    Lifestyle

    TV shows reinforce stereotypes about eco-friendly consumers

    EditorBy Editor20 January 2025No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    TV shows play an important role in creating and cementing stereotypes – but they can also be used to challenge them, researchers at NEOMA Business School find.

    Research lecturer Maria Carolina Zanette and PhD student Sophie Raynaud published a study examining how the character of Phoebe Buffay from the hit TV sitcom Friends influenced stereotypes of vegetarians and environmentally conscious consumers.

    “Phoebe, who embodies ecological militancy, becomes a stereotyped figure through her repeated actions, such as her devotion to animals. These recurring actions help construct stereotypes around this type of character,” says Raynaud.

    The study outlines three ways in which the character’s traits and actions are stereotyped.

    • Reproduction – where a character trait is subject to regular remarks or jokes. For example, Phoebe’s vegetarianism is often ridiculed.
    • Overlaying – where multiple traits are combined to reinforce how a character is presented. For example, Phoebe’s vegetarianism and anti-patriotism combine in her refusal to eat a turkey at Thanksgiving.
    • Evolution – where a character undergoes a gradual change, softening traits that were originally seen as extreme or undesirable. For example, as the series progresses, Phoebe changes from a strict militant ecologist to a more conventional consumer.

    The researchers suggest these techniques when writing Phoebe’s character consolidate an eccentric image of consumers who are concerned about sustainability.

    “This type of representation can have repercussions in the real world, for example, by making it difficult for people to accept certain sustainable behaviours,” says Zanette.

    However, the researchers also indicate examples of TV shows using complex characterisation to challenge stereotypes. For example, they say shows like Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy create challenging roles for female actors of colour, allowing them to explore characters with diverse origins and varied profiles in prominent roles.

    The researchers also suggest more TV shows could use narrative techniques to challenge stereotypes of environmentally conscious consumers, providing a source of inspiration for brands and professionals who wish to promote messages of social transformation.

    This study was published in the Journal of Marketing Management.

    • Editor
      Editor
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
    Previous ArticleSUDU and Fiit Team Up to Make 2025 Fitness Goals More Accessible Than Ever
    Next Article Burns night supper club at Kimpton Fitzroy London
    Editor
    • Website

    Related Posts

    StayCotswold Map Reveals the Best Dog Walks in the Cotswolds

    11 September 2025

    Dorset Cottage Holidays Teams Up with Brakeburn and Isle of Purbeck Golf Club to Launch the Ultimate Autumn Dorset Getaway

    11 September 2025

    Barking mad Londoners are giving their pampered pooches the A-list treatment.

    10 September 2025

    Burning Man 2025: As the Dust Settles, a Short Film Captures the Spirit for Those Who Couldn’t Be There

    10 September 2025
    Our Picks

    StayCotswold Map Reveals the Best Dog Walks in the Cotswolds

    11 September 2025

    Dorset Cottage Holidays Teams Up with Brakeburn and Isle of Purbeck Golf Club to Launch the Ultimate Autumn Dorset Getaway

    11 September 2025

    Etpl appoints Oakvale Capital as exclusive investment banker to lead capital raise and growth strategy

    11 September 2025

    Discover Wellness-Essary: The Female-Founded App Transforming Wellbeing

    10 September 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    About Us
    About Us

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: [email protected]

    Our Picks

    Beat the classroom bugs

    2 September 2025

    London’s Biggest Bowie Lookalike Competition Announced by ZIGGYFEST

    29 August 2025

    Miracle Man Ismail Crosses the Finish Line in Walk2Help challenge for Forget Me Not Hospice

    27 August 2025
    Subscribe to Updates

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from The London News

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise With Us
    © 2025 by The London News.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login below or Register Now.

    Lost password?

    Register Now!

    Already registered? Login.

    A password will be e-mailed to you.