Stereotypes exist because they are grounded in truth
Prompt 1
Think carefully about the issue presented in the quotation & either support or refute its main idea.
“Stereotypes exist because they are grounded in truth. “ Truth in itself is a relative concept; cultural beliefs, norms and personal experiences play a large role in shaping what we consider the ‘truth’. In the light of stereotypes, they are reinforced because of the very fact that people believe in them. Stereotypes are not validated by any hardcore proof except one’s own beliefs and notions of truth. Scapegoating of individuals and groups in society has also played a leading factor in the emergence of stereotypes; therefore stereotypes do not exist in truth. However, the very fact that stereotypes are a product of one’s beliefs and ideas ground into our personal truth and not one that is universal.
According to the universal definition, stereotypes are “fixed, over generalized beliefs about a particular group or a class of people”. Sweeping statements are made about groups of individuals on the basis of various aspects, the most common of them being ethnicity, race, gender and religion. However, stereotypes are not entirely embedded in truth. Most of the victims who are stereotyped do not deserve to be targeted and exceptions are found within stereotyped groups. These exceptions are attributed to individual differences in behavior, where individuals possess their unique individuality with distinct characteristics and therefore it is inappropriate to categorize them into a separate stereotyped group, purely on the basis of few common characteristics amongst them. John M Grohol in his article, “Stereotyping That Hurts, Stereotyping That Helps”, featured in the Scientific American Magazine writes about the negative and positive impacts of stereotypes. According to Grohol, when individuals are negatively stereotyped in a certain manner, they perform worse at the task. For example, when females are portrayed less intelligent in academics when compared
Think carefully about the issue presented in the quotation & either support or refute its main idea.
“Stereotypes exist because they are grounded in truth. “ Truth in itself is a relative concept; cultural beliefs, norms and personal experiences play a large role in shaping what we consider the ‘truth’. In the light of stereotypes, they are reinforced because of the very fact that people believe in them. Stereotypes are not validated by any hardcore proof except one’s own beliefs and notions of truth. Scapegoating of individuals and groups in society has also played a leading factor in the emergence of stereotypes; therefore stereotypes do not exist in truth. However, the very fact that stereotypes are a product of one’s beliefs and ideas ground into our personal truth and not one that is universal.
According to the universal definition, stereotypes are “fixed, over generalized beliefs about a particular group or a class of people”. Sweeping statements are made about groups of individuals on the basis of various aspects, the most common of them being ethnicity, race, gender and religion. However, stereotypes are not entirely embedded in truth. Most of the victims who are stereotyped do not deserve to be targeted and exceptions are found within stereotyped groups. These exceptions are attributed to individual differences in behavior, where individuals possess their unique individuality with distinct characteristics and therefore it is inappropriate to categorize them into a separate stereotyped group, purely on the basis of few common characteristics amongst them. John M Grohol in his article, “Stereotyping That Hurts, Stereotyping That Helps”, featured in the Scientific American Magazine writes about the negative and positive impacts of stereotypes. According to Grohol, when individuals are negatively stereotyped in a certain manner, they perform worse at the task. For example, when females are portrayed less intelligent in academics when compared
Cited: Becker, Howard S. "Labelling Theory Criminology." Suite101.com. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . Grohol, John M. "Stereotyping That Hurts, Stereotyping That Helps | World of Psychology." Psych Central.com. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . Pallmore, Erdman Ballagh. "Self-fulfilling Prophecy." Ageism: Negative and Positive. Springer, 1999. 82. Print. Seymour, Gerald. "Libertarian Common Sense." : One Man 's Terrorist Is Another Man 's Freedom Fighter. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .