Stereotypes and Prejudice Worksheet

Associate Program Material

Stereotypes and Prejudice Worksheet

Please complete the following exercises, remembering that you are in an academic setting and should remain unbiased, considerate, and professional when completing this worksheet.

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
Age
Old people are slow
Young people are trouble makers
Young people are lazy
Gender
Men work harder than women
Women should do all house work
Women have more feelings than men
Race
Black people are better at sports
Asians are smart
White people get better jobs

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?
One benefit of stereotypes to those being stereotyped is that the stereotype itself may be positive. Of course, this can backfire if you benefit from a stereotype of a group in which you fit and it becomes clear that the stereotype does not apply to you. One example of a positive stereotype is that Asians are good at math. Another example of a positive stereotype is that Jewish people are good with money.

What are the negative aspects of stereotypes?
By stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole range of characteristics and abilities that we assume all members of that group have. Stereotypes lead to social categorization, which is one of the reasons for prejudice attitudes. Most stereotypes probably tend to convey a negative impression.

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 are assumed characteristics. They do not have to carry a moral judgment (although many time they do). Example: The French like good cooking. Or, Icelanders don't mind the cold. Prejudice is preferring one kind of person over another. It may be based on stereotypes (I don't like Jews because they're cheap), or not (I don't like Irish people because an Irish kid beat me up long ago).

What is the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice?
The relationship is that one is having the wrong impression of the person before meeting them, the other is GUESSING that they are all the exact same as the one, or two, that you have met. They are both assuming things about someone and judging someone based on the difference in them. It is either from experience or from what you heard but either way it is a judgement before you meet them or after.

What can be done to prevent prejudice from occurring?
Let schools teach children that all people are equal regardless of race, gender, orientation, etc, let governments introduce laws that explicitly promote equality for all. But I think first of all it starts at home. I think if we teach our children that no matter what we are all equal and treat each other with respect. I think that if we all did this and showed them as also as tell them, then all the judgement will die down a lot.