Mass Media Stereotypes and Effects Stereotypes are formed through social interaction, and mass media play a very  important role in such a socialization process. In a cross-cultural context, mass media often  constitute the only source of information about other cultures because many people do not  have personal contact with individuals.When  experiential knowledge does not exist, we often assume that images we see in film reflect reality.
 In 1999, 65.5% of China’s  imported movies were American films.In addition,  American movies have long been used in teaching English in universities throughout China.  Chinese people perceive Americans to be like they are represented in American  movies. Viewers found the nature and extent of coverage of the perception of Americans being  threatened by China both electronic mass media and influential newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Americans are divided about the value of spreading Americans culture around the world. In August 2002 an Investor's Buisness Daily/Christian Science Monitor poll found that only 47% felt that "American movies and popular culture" had a positive impact on "the rest of the world". 40% thought the impact was negative. With this information do Americans reject the idea that US popular culture is a threat to foreign countries?