Expectation States that it's Saturday Night!

A paper in which I expressed the idea of expectation states theory through the use of a Saturday Night Live skit.


Expectation States Theory is an important theory when one considers the study of inequality. This theory helps to explain the division of individuals into separate groups and classes and it also helps explain why individuals in certain groups perform according to the stereotypical expectation for their group. This theory helps explain why change is difficult for certain groups to rise up to an equal status. The perceived inferior groups tend to feel unequal in certain situations, and as such, do not perform as well as the superior groups. When groups perform according to what is expected of them, it reinforces the notion that that group should remain unequal. When an individual deviates from the expectations by performing well at a higher-level task, that individual is seen as being both a very hard worker, as opposed to naturally gifted, as well as being a dissenter, and trying to change the accepted flow of society.
As is the case with most social theories, this phenomenon can often be observed in popular culture. One such example is a skit from the television show Saturday Night Live. It is no surprise that this program has been parodying the candidates for the upcoming election quite frequently. In one such parody, actresses pretending to be Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton act as the opening announcers for the show. Despite the fact that the skit in question is comedy and intended to be taken lightly, there is much that can be derived from analyzing it.
In this skit, the actresses are pretending to comment on the role of sexism in the 2008 elections. From the very start, the gender of the actresses is at the very center of attention, because, of course, they are part of the outside group. They are not men, and as such, do not fit into the normal schema of politicians, especially politicians that would normally be running for presidency or vice presidency.
The individual characters they portray come under fire as well, and are parodied according to their schema. Clinton, who is often criticized for being too masculine and too aggressive, is portrayed as being unfriendly and disagreeable towards the character of Governor Palin. She is also depicted as being overly bitter about losing the primary election, to the point where she is illustrated as being driven to violent action when she rips a piece of board from the podium. It is also no surprise when Clinton is characterized as being male when she offers to “lend” the media a portion of anatomy that is known to be a strictly male artifact.
Palin, who is often thought of as attractive, as well as unintelligent, is portrayed as both of these things, and none of her other qualities are addressed at any time during the skit. In the skit, Palin’s character fits into the expectation of a pretty, stupid woman. She also portrays no apparent interest in changing this generalization placed on her. In modern American culture, this schema of a woman is much more desirable and acceptable than that of the staunch, forceful woman that Hillary Clinton is often labeled as. As would be expected, the unpopular Clinton is portrayed as unhappy about being pigeonholed into the representation of the unattractive, unfeminine woman that many would readily typecast her as. She is never once depicted as being proud of her confidence or her capability as a woman. She is only unhappy at being thought of as homely.
One limit of this theory is that it does not take into account what happens when an individual from an inferior group deviates, but still retains the behavior stereotypical to their group. This could be an important topic when discussing Sarah Palin. She is considered much more culturally acceptable as a woman, and therefore as a potential vice president.
As would be expected, the character who is concerned about changing the schema, in this case, reducing sexism, is the character that is portrayed as the most disagreeable, Senator Clinton. According to the Expectation States Theory, when a low-status person attempts to take on a high-status role, or attempts to question the status quo, there is often a backlash. This person is attempting to be something that does not fit with their schema, and this is often viewed as unsavory by society. This can lead to the person being viewed in negative terms.
Also, it is implied the character of Governor Palin is more popular because she is more in line with the symbols of femininity (i.e., lipstick, high heels), and yet, she is also looked down upon for these very same reasons. This is very supportive of the Expectation States Theory in that it contributes to the idea that objects are attributed to groups as symbols of inequality, and yet, if an individual from a group chooses to avoid these symbols, they are seen as even more inferior as a result.
The possibility of a woman in the White House is also referenced in this skit. The character of Hillary Clinton plays into the double standard by voicing her opinion that Governor Palin’s road to the White House was too easy. She is upholding the belief that if a woman is to hold a position that is generally reserved for men, then the woman should have to work especially hard at that task and should have a more difficult time achieving the goal.
As is illustrated by this paper, people of the unequal subgroups are often stereotyped according the perceptions in society. These groups are expected to abide by and embrace these generalizations, and when an individual deviates from the generalization, they are the object of scorn.




“Palin / Hillary Open.” Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler. NBC. 14 Sep. 2008.