Stereotypes Consist Basically

Appendix B Shelley Brinkley Eth /125 December 8, 2012 Dr. Patricia Cornelious

Stereotypes | “Unreliable, exaggerated generalizations about all members of a group that don not take individual differences into account.” (Schaefer, 2012, p. 40) | Prejudice | “A negative attitude toward an entire category of people, such as a racial or ethnic minority.” (Schaefer, 2012, p.35) | Labeling theory | “A sociological approach introduced by Howard Beckner that attempts to explain why certain people are viewed as deviants and others engaging in the same behavior are not.” (Schaefer, 2012, p.18) | Race | All Whites are privileged. | All young Black men are associated with gangs. | All Asians are intelligent or good in martial arts. | Ethnicity | All Irish Americans are alcoholics. | All Polish Americans are uneducated. | All Jewish Americans are miserly and doctors. | Religion | All Mormons are polygamists. | All Amish do not bathe and are Anti-American | All Muslim’s are terrorists |

The only example of positive aspects in relation to stereotyping would be to reference to the Amish. The Amish are considered to be hard working, do not use electricity, ride in horse drawn buggies, and live in secluded communities. All of these stereotypes associated with the Amish are positive, even though they are generalizations; they provide a positive view of the Amish. After reviewing the relationships between the other stereotypes, there are no positive aspects that can be attributed to any of these three categories. Stereotyping has produced negativity and prohibited individuals from recognizing the differences between individuals. There are numerous aspects associated with these stereotypes: not all White individuals are privileged, but come from broken homes, middle or low income, and have to struggle in life, not all African Americans are in gangs, but come from well -educated families, upper-class neighborhoods, and are privileged. Stereotyping Hispanics as lazy, when in reality work harder than most to contribute to their families and communities and assuming all Irish Americans are alcoholics. Stereotyping is simply wrong, who is any one individual to make the judgment that Polish Americans are un-educated and every Jewish individual hoards money and is a doctor? That is the point, no one can make these judgments, they can only be made if an individual has taken the time to know others and could make these decisions on a personal basis.

“Stereotypes consist basically in shared beliefs or thought about a particular human group. A stereotype is an ensemble of characteristics that sums up a human group in terms of behavior, habits, etc.” (Education Pack, 2012, p.1) Stereotyping involves using generalizations about an entire group; individuals make assumptions about a group based on their characteristics. Example: Douglas is male and lives on the wealthy area of town, so individuals stereotype him as privileged and not appreciative of life “A prejudice is a judgment we make about another person or other people without really knowing them. Prejudices can be negative or positive in character. Prejudices are learned as part of our socialization process and they are very difficult to modify or eradicate.” (Education Pack, 2012, p. 1) Prejudice is an individual’s given attitude toward an entire group based only on their association to that group. Example: Katy has learned from her parents to have a negative attitude toward anyone who is not the same color as she is, not only has Katy learned this from her parents but also is raised in a very rural southern town, with limited resources and education. Stereotyping most generally leads to prejudice. Individuals who maintain their beliefs in ridiculous assumptions about a group and neglect the differences of unique individuals result in harboring prejudice against the entire group instead of basing their dislike or negative feelings on the characteristics or traits of one individual. “If stereotypes are exaggerated generalizations, when why are they so widely held, and why are some traits more often assigned than others?” (Schafer, 2012, p. 41) A good question that helps demonstrates the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice. This relationship becomes more toxic, but becomes life altering in some individuals’ lives. When individuals participate in negative stereotyping they justify their own thoughts of negativity, and make excuses for their inappropriate actions. “Stereotypes not only influence how people feel about themselves but also, and perhaps equally important, affect how people interact with others.” (Sigelman & Tuch, 1997,p.42) (Schaefer, 2012 ).

Individuals should look to education, government, and prevention to help prevent and reduce prejudice. Education would be the first line of defense in combating prejudice. “Studies document that increased formal education, regardless on content, is associated with racial tolerance. Research data show that highly educated people are more likely to indicate respect and liking for groups different from themselves.” (Schaefer, 2012, p. 49) Individuals may also be able to look toward media is helping with prevention and reduction of prejudice. Media could display all different cultures, races, ethnics, and religious beliefs incorporated within an entire community. “As with measuring the influence of programs designed to reduce prejudice, coming to strong conclusions on mass media’s effect is hazardous, but the evidence points to a measureable effect.” (Schaefer, 2012, p. 49) Individuals should become proactive and stand up against prejudice, by gathering support within the community and among friends. Another way is to exercise their individual rights within local and federal governments, write to your congressman and political leaders to encourage bills to be passed to help eradicate prejudice. Three of the most important factors that need to be explored are steps in education, diversity, and teaching tolerance. “Prejudice is learned, and parents and teachers can influence the content of curriculum.” (Schaefer, 2012)

References Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination (2012) Chapter 5 Perceiving Groups. Dec. 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.usu.edu/psy3510/prejudice.html Difference between Stereotype and prejudice (2012) We all live with Images-Education Pack. Dec. 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://eycb.coe.int/edupack/09.html Schaefer, R.T. (2012), Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Sigelman &Tuch (1997) Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Schaefer, R.T. (2012), Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

References: Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination (2012) Chapter 5 Perceiving Groups. Dec. 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.usu.edu/psy3510/prejudice.html Difference between Stereotype and prejudice (2012) We all live with Images-Education Pack. Dec. 7, 2012. Retrieved from http://eycb.coe.int/edupack/09.html Schaefer, R.T. (2012), Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Sigelman &Tuch (1997) Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Schaefer, R.T. (2012), Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.