Eth125 Stereotypes

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 |
|Race |All black people are lazy or |White people are prejudice |Hispanics are all illegal aliens |
| |criminals | |and lazy |
|Religion |All Christians are hypocritical |All Muslims are terrorists |All Jews are penny pinchers |
|Gender |Men are better financial providers|Women can not be successful and |Women are supposed to take care of|
| | |independent |all household duties |

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?

“Stereotypes are unreliable generalizations about all members of a group that do not take individual differences in to account.” (Schaefer 2012) Although mostly negative, there is one positive aspects. Such as, positive feedback like “Asians are very intelligent people” this is something I have heard many times, and from my own perspective and interactions, I find this to be accurate.

What are the negative aspects of stereotypes?

A negative aspect would be to assume how someone is, without giving them the chance to show their true self. First impressions are important, but not always accurate, and if an individual is stereotyped because of the way they appear, then the chance to meet someone important could be passed up. Jumping to conclusions, lack of information, and not knowing what you could have gained from this different individual or group can be considered a loss.

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.

A stereotype can be defined as an assumption being made about certain typical characteristics of an individual. For example, a young individual who is dressed in all black with tattoos and piercings would be considered someone who is satanic or part of a group that worship the devil. Whereas prejudice being a negative perception and pre-judgment being made on an entire group of people. For instance, a male may be offered a higher paying job and title than a woman with the same qualifications. There are different forms of prejudice and stereotyping, and not all are based on race and ethnic background, it can also be gender, age, sexual orientation, and even socioeconomic status.

What is the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice?

Stereotyping and prejudice are both forms of judgements being made on individuals or specific groups. Prejudice perceptions often lead to stereotyping, and the only difference is one is an assumption of certain characteristics, while the other will judge all in a particular category without prior knowledge of the group of people.

What can be done to prevent prejudice from occurring?

Preventing prejudice is a challenge, although as individuals we can change the way our younger generations see other people, but to prevent it as a whole is impossible. If we teach our children that everyone is equal and its okay to be different, then they will teach their children, and so on. Kindness can be contagious. Our society has been this way for such a long time that it almost comes naturally, and as sad as that is, people tend to judge and look down on others different from themselves. It starts with with us and carried on to our younger generations.