Abstract
 
 In recent years, researches on “image” are increasingly seen at home and abroad, and the door of “imagology” has been opened. The image of China varies in American media through the different periods of time. After the reform and opening-up, China’s national comprehensive power has rapidly enhanced, and its image in American mainstream medias has transited from positive to negative. Behind this phenomenon conceals the deep factors of politics, history and culture. As the “global village” becoming a trend in the whole world, the intercultural communication is significant for the development of every country. It is imperative to seek ways to break barriers in the intercultural communication.
 The thesis falls into four chapters. Chapter one reviews China’s image from 1950’s to 1970’s. Chapter two emphasizes both positive and negative image of China after the year of 1978. Chapter three illustrates the main reasons that causes the negative image of China in American media. And the specific ways to lessen the barriers in cross-culture communication between China and America are discussed in the last part.

Key words: stereotype; China’s image; intercultural communication

摘  要

    近些年来，国内外学界关于“形象”的研究已崭露头角,打开了“形象学”大门的一道缝隙。美国媒介眼中的中国形象在不同的历史时期是变化的，特别是在改革开放之后，中国的综合国力得到了大幅度的提升，其形象在美国媒介眼中一度从正面积极过渡到了反面消极。美国媒介对中国的刻板印象在大量的涉华报道中表现出来，这种现象的背后隐藏的是深层次的政治、历史和文化原因。随着“地球村”渐渐成为一种世界发展趋势，跨文化交流成为每一个国家提高自身发展的必经途径，因此迫切需要深入地研究造成刻板印象的原因并且找到减少跨文化交际中障碍的方法。
    全文共分为4章。第一章追溯回忆了19世纪50年代到70年代美国人眼中的中国形象。第二章着重描述了改革开放后美国媒介眼中积极以及消极的中国形象，着笔重点是消极形象。第三章阐述了导致美媒对中国形象持有刻板印象的原因，包括政治、历史和文化三大因素。第四章讨论了如何减少中美跨文化交流中障碍的具体方法。
 
关键词：刻板印象；中国形象；跨文化交际