|Term |Definition |
|Stereotypes |Stereotypes are unreliable, exaggerated generalizations about all members of a group that do not |
| |take individual differences into account |
| |(Schaefer, 2012). |
|Prejudice |Prejudice is a negative attitude toward an entire category of people, such as racial or ethnic |
| |minority (Schaefer, 2012). |
|Labeling theory |The labeling theory means to place a label on a person who is deviant; this person comes to accept |
| |the label and starts acting as the label expresses. |
Part II
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 |Hispanics do not speak English |Middle Easterners hate |White people are all racist. |
| |very well. |Americans. | |
|Gender |Women are not as smart as men. |Guys are messy and unclean. |Men are the backbone. |
|Sexual Orientation |All homosexuals are child |Gay people have sex with many |Younger gay children are on the |
| |molesters. |people. |brink of suicide. |
Part III
Answer each question in 100 to 150 words related to those stereotypes:
• What are the positive aspects of the stereotypes, if any?
I would have to say there are some positive aspects to stereotyping. When people stereotype, they think someone is doing something wrong just because they fit a profile. This profile can be anything from race to their sexual orientation. People can learn from others making these mistakes. We can learn from each other’s mistakes. We can teach the younger generation to not see people the way others do. When we stereotype, we are making generalizations that we cannot be sure are true about that specific individual. We can learn to not make these judgments and take the opportunity to gain knowledge when we are faced with these situations. People can make a stereotype without even knowing they are doing it. All stereotypes do not have to be offensive. A common stereotype that is said is that all African Americans are good at sports. Society knows this to be an untrue statement, and it is not meant in derogatory way. Even though it is not meant in a negative way, people still take offense to it.
• What are the negative aspects of stereotypes?
There are many negative aspects of stereotyping. Schaefer states, “Studies show that people are all too aware of the negative images other people have on them” (p. 42). Stereotyping includes racial profiling, which means just because a person looks like they fit a profile, they must have or will be committing a crime. Stereotyping still has an effect on people throughout out the world. They influence how people, as individuals, feel about themselves and how people interact with each other. Once a
