The Real Harm Of Stereotypes Essay
The Real Harm Of Stereotypes
There are so many people in this world, that it would be impossible to speak for everyone. One thing that most seem to agree on, is that stereotypes do more harm than good. In their essay ''On Stereotypes'' psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald offer a different view. Their theory is that because stereotypes are a natural process, they can be useful. This theory does not negate their harmful effects. Stereotypes still cause such negative reactions because, they reinforce unhealthy standards, they perpetuate ugly myths, and they divide people.
A major issue caused by stereotyping, is that they reinforce unhealthy standards. There are already enough standards imposed on individuals today. The demands imposed on individuals within oppressed groups only add the pressure. As the university psychology professors Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald point out, for many that are in ostracized social groups conforming to stereotypes can be crucial to being seen as a member of their community (24). Individuals can develop severe mental, or health issues from trying to fit in. Eating disorders and other forms of self-harm can be the norm in some cultures. Individuals pushing their bodies to extremes, just to better suit their roles. No part of this scenario works to the benefit of those afflicted. …show more content…
Humans have an innate ability to see the world in terms of categories. Without conscious thought, people separate anyone that they see as different from themselves. This grouping of people into categories is a natural process, as the authors pointed out, by saying that, ''stereotyping is an unfortunate by-product of the otherwise immensely useful human ability to conceive the world in terms of categories'' (Banaji & Greenwald). This loss of connection between groups of people weakens the entire
There are so many people in this world, that it would be impossible to speak for everyone. One thing that most seem to agree on, is that stereotypes do more harm than good. In their essay ''On Stereotypes'' psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald offer a different view. Their theory is that because stereotypes are a natural process, they can be useful. This theory does not negate their harmful effects. Stereotypes still cause such negative reactions because, they reinforce unhealthy standards, they perpetuate ugly myths, and they divide people.
A major issue caused by stereotyping, is that they reinforce unhealthy standards. There are already enough standards imposed on individuals today. The demands imposed on individuals within oppressed groups only add the pressure. As the university psychology professors Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald point out, for many that are in ostracized social groups conforming to stereotypes can be crucial to being seen as a member of their community (24). Individuals can develop severe mental, or health issues from trying to fit in. Eating disorders and other forms of self-harm can be the norm in some cultures. Individuals pushing their bodies to extremes, just to better suit their roles. No part of this scenario works to the benefit of those afflicted. …show more content…
Humans have an innate ability to see the world in terms of categories. Without conscious thought, people separate anyone that they see as different from themselves. This grouping of people into categories is a natural process, as the authors pointed out, by saying that, ''stereotyping is an unfortunate by-product of the otherwise immensely useful human ability to conceive the world in terms of categories'' (Banaji & Greenwald). This loss of connection between groups of people weakens the entire