Stereotypes and Prejudice Worksheet

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 like fried chicken
All Asian people are smart
White people are all nerdy.
Sexual Orientation
Homosexuals are all effeminate.
Straight guys are all belching morons.
Homosexuals are weak.
Religion
Muslims are all warlike
Jews are greedy and money hungry.
Christians are hypocritical conquerors.

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?
It is my personal conviction that stereotypes have absolutely no positive aspects. This sort of thinking only leads to deeper struggles and inequality within societies. It is absolutely vital for a deeper level of understanding to be reached by people of differing race and ethnicity in order for the possibility of a peaceful world to exist.

What are the negative aspects of stereotypes?
There are many negative aspects of stereotypes. One of the main consequences is the lack of unity within a society or population. If different groups are at war with each other within a society their chances of becoming a true world power are miniscule. Also stereotyping generally leads to violence and pain for everyone involved because of the conflict that it arouses.

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.

The text defines stereotypes as: unreliable, exaggerated, generalizations about all members of a group that do not take individual differences into account. Prejudice is defined as: a negative attitude toward an entire category of people, such as a racial or ethnic minority.The difference between these two concepts is that stereotypes are false beliefs about an entire group of people that perpetuate fear and misunderstanding, like: all black people are thugs. Whereas prejudice is a negative feeling towards an entire group based on the fact that they are different. An example of this is the prejudice against hiring blacks to do a certain job because one feels they mentally inferior because they are a different race.(Schaefer 2012)

What is the relationship between stereotyping and prejudice?
The relationship between stereotyping and prejudice is basically one of escalation. The connection between the two usually occurs in the form that stereotyping leads to prejudice. This often occurs because stereotypes create a sense of uncertainty and distrust between groups and prejudice is a more refined and focused form of intolerance that often leads to discrimination and hate.

What can be done to prevent prejudice from occurring?
The biggest thing that can be done to prevent prejudice is to educate people about other races and ethnicities, and to work towards establishing a better degree of understanding and unity between different groups of people. It is also necessary to single out those who are acting in a prejudiced manner and show that this type of sentiment will not be tolerated.

References
Racial and Ethnic Groups, Thirteenth edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Merrill Prentice Hall. Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.(Ch.2)

References: Racial and Ethnic Groups, Thirteenth edition, by Richard T. Schaefer. Published by Merrill Prentice Hall. Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.(Ch.2)