AbstractsCommunication

M.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2011. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which the portrayals of Asians in films and television shows influence students' perception of Asians. Specifically, this study comparatively examines the perception of Asians from Asia and Asian Americans, as well as the interpretation of Asian visual representation in film and television shows among college students. A survey was administered to 270 college students between the age of 18-28 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Overall, this study found that both Asians from Asia and Asian Americans were perceived as model minorities. There appeared to be no to almost no relationship between perceptions of Asians and respondent's nationality and ethnicity. While there were similarities between perceptions of Asians in real life and perceptions of the portrayals of Asians in films and television, the extent of influence of portrayals of Asians in films and television on perception could not be measured.