Stereotype and Prejudice

Part I

Select three of the identity categories below and name or describe at least 3 related stereotypes for each:

* Race
* Ethnicity
* Religion
* Gender
* Sexual orientation
* Age
* Disability

Category| Stereotype 1| Stereotype 2| Stereotype 3|
Race| White people do not have rhythm| All Asians are geniuses| African Americans love Kool-aid and are thugs| Sexual Orientation| Men are better than women | All gay men are flamboyant | All lesbian are manly looking and all dress like men| Disability| Incapable of participating in a full day’s activity, | Can never be in a relationship or marriage| People that are disable are a burden to society|

Part II

Answer each question in 50 to 100 words related to those stereotypes. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

What are the positive aspects of stereotypes, if any? I asked this question to my co-workers and we could only come up with two answers. The first answer we came up with was, trendsetting/fashion statements. Its funny how we can put people in category’s but we dress like a certain culture and that becomes popular and then the next trend starts. An example of that would be when females started to accessorize themselves with Hindu art. The second was: Southern hospitality, we feel that if someone is from the south, people are all so kind and always giving a helping hand to those that is in need. I think hurricane Katrina answered a lot of those myths. Just saying.

What are the negative aspects of stereotypes? Negative aspects in my opinion after reading this chapter are we do not allow ourselves to look or judge other people on their own individuality. We look at an African American (just one person) and we already assume this person is a bad person or someone that cannot be trusted. Because we have a negative aspect on this race and many others we cannot see beyond this person’s race, or religion or what every it maybe. A person maybe overlooked on getting a promotion at work because of being stereotyped. Or maybe a loan was denied because the person approving the loan is prejudice and does not feel this person can pay the loan back just because he is an African American and not based on his credentials That is stereotyping. It is very hard for any minority race to exceed when they are being stereotyped and put in a group. I feel that is one reason President Obama has struggled so hard with his first term in office is because of his race. That is just my opinion, but I do not recall any President to have to show proof that his nationality is an American.

Part III

Answer each question in 50 to 150 words related to those stereotypes. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

Define stereotypes and prejudice. What is the difference between stereotyping and prejudice? Use examples to illustrate the differences. * Stereotypes – generalization about a person or group of people. We create stereotypes when we cannot obtain information or not willing too so we can make fair judgment about people. * Prejudice – bad opinion that we form against a person or group based on a stereotype. White people cannot dance. This is stereotyping. This person is a gang member with tattoos, so he must not have any education is on drugs and a very hateful person.

What is the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice? Stereotyping leads to prejudice. If I am walking in a park and I see a group of people walking towards me (lets say all are white males) and they are dressed up and look very nice. I do not panic, now another group is walking towards me and now this group is all men (African Americans) and they are dressed and conduct themselves just the same as the first group, but I panicked with this group. Why because I stereotyped the second group and if I was prejudice no matter how they dressed or acted I would be afraid of them because they are black. I judge them based on skin color and not on individuality.

What can be done to prevent prejudice from occurring? Educational programs, have intergroup contact, corporations/businesses have diversity training programs, and mass media. We can reach out for medical/therapy programs. We can also help with improving social conditions of oppressed groups. We can work on being more opened minded with learning others culture and ideas and stop being so hard headed and stubborn.