Week 2 Stereotype Assignment

Part I

Select three of the identity categories below and describe at least 3 related stereotypes for each. Please ensure your description is clear and understandable. Write your response in full sentence format.

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

Category Stereotype 1 Stereotype 2 Stereotype 3
Sexual orientation All homosexuals have aids. All lesbians are “butch”. All gay men are flamboyant.
Race All Asians are good at math. Middle Easterners hate Americans. Most, if not all, Hispanics are illegal aliens.
Age All “old” people cannot drive. Older people are not independent. Younger people have are lazy and have no work ethics.

Part II

Answer each question in 150 to 250 words related to the stereotypes selected in Part I. These are considered essay responses so they must be in paragraph format and be formatted according to the guidelines in the course policy document. Paragraphs must be indented and the lines of text need to be double-spaced. The font and alignment are already set for you. References and citations must be used.

1. What are the negative aspects of stereotypes? Are there positive aspects of your selected stereotypes? Can positive stereotypes be as harmful as negative stereotypes? Why or why not?

There is long term negative aspects of stereotyping that may be permanent and disabling for some. Effects of stereotypes include; depression, self-esteem issues, self- mutilation, suicide, and more. Stereotyping can have some positive aspects to sexual orientation, race, and age; however, most positive stereotypes have a negative outcome. Many people do not realize a lot of pressure stems from positive stereotyping, particularly in young adults. One example of a positive stereotype is older people are more wise, this stereotype is not hurtful in anyway and can be considered flattering. “The bottom line is that stereotypes are based on assumptions. Each person is unique, with their own personality traits, experiences and attitudes. None of us should be prejudged, categorized or limited according to stereotypes” (MSC, July, 2010)

2. What is the difference between stereotyping and prejudice? Use clear examples to illustrate the differences.

Stereotype and Prejudice are two types of assertions about different classes of people. These two types of assertions show considerable difference between them. Stereotypes are standardized idea about people based on little prior assumptions. Stereotypes are based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, gender, and race. Prejudice is a prejudgment or assumption about someone before having adequate information to judge with precision. This is the major contrast between stereotyping and prejudice. Prejudice is an unjustified or fallacious attitude, negative or positive, towards an individual based solely on the person’s membership of a social group. Conventional components of prejudice incorporate negative feelings, stereotyped ideas, and aptness to discriminate against members of the group. Although many people may confuse stereotyping and prejudice, I feel the outcome is the same; someone or a group of people ultimate are hurt or angered by stereotyping and prejudice, which can lead to violence between groups.

3. What can be done to reduce and/or eliminate prejudice?

Individuals can do many things to reduce or eliminate prejudice. Acknowledgment that everyone has absorbed prejudicial information about other people is the first step to reducing and eliminating prejudice. Face without guilt or accusation the stereotypes that have been learned is important because people can hear the prejudice comments they may use and can change the pattern. Having a good self-image is important in being able to accept people who are different from us. Taking a course on prejudice is an excellent way of helping ourselves and others confront prejudice head on. Speaking up when hearing prejudice may help others realize the effects of treating people with prejudice. Teaching children in school and at home can help eliminate prejudice before it starts. Prejudice is seen and learned by children and repeated, unfortunately, children who are introduced to prejudice will carry prejudice with them for the rest of their life. Prejudice is hard to unlearn, but not impossible.

References: and citations must be used. 1. What are the negative aspects of stereotypes? Are there positive aspects of your selected stereotypes? Can positive stereotypes be as harmful as negative stereotypes? Why or why not? There is long term negative aspects of stereotyping that may be permanent and disabling for some. Effects of stereotypes include; depression, self-esteem issues, self- mutilation, suicide, and more. Stereotyping can have some positive aspects to sexual orientation, race, and age; however, most positive stereotypes have a negative outcome. Many people do not realize a lot of pressure stems from positive stereotyping, particularly in young adults. One example of a positive stereotype is older people are more wise, this stereotype is not hurtful in anyway and can be considered flattering. “The bottom line is that stereotypes are based on assumptions. Each person is unique, with their own personality traits, experiences and attitudes. None of us should be prejudged, categorized or limited according to stereotypes” (MSC, July, 2010) 2. What is the difference between stereotyping and prejudice? Use clear examples to illustrate the differences. Stereotype and Prejudice are two types of assertions about different classes of people. These two types of assertions show considerable difference between them. Stereotypes are standardized idea about people based on little prior assumptions. Stereotypes are based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, gender, and race. Prejudice is a prejudgment or assumption about someone before having adequate information to judge with precision. This is the major contrast between stereotyping and prejudice. Prejudice is an unjustified or fallacious attitude, negative or positive, towards an individual based solely on the person’s membership of a social group. Conventional components of prejudice incorporate negative feelings, stereotyped ideas, and aptness to discriminate against members of the group. Although many people may confuse stereotyping and prejudice, I feel the outcome is the same; someone or a group of people ultimate are hurt or angered by stereotyping and prejudice, which can lead to violence between groups. 3. What can be done to reduce and/or eliminate prejudice? Individuals can do many things to reduce or eliminate prejudice. Acknowledgment that everyone has absorbed prejudicial information about other people is the first step to reducing and eliminating prejudice. Face without guilt or accusation the stereotypes that have been learned is important because people can hear the prejudice comments they may use and can change the pattern. Having a good self-image is important in being able to accept people who are different from us. Taking a course on prejudice is an excellent way of helping ourselves and others confront prejudice head on. Speaking up when hearing prejudice may help others realize the effects of treating people with prejudice. Teaching children in school and at home can help eliminate prejudice before it starts. Prejudice is seen and learned by children and repeated, unfortunately, children who are introduced to prejudice will carry prejudice with them for the rest of their life. Prejudice is hard to unlearn, but not impossible.