A stereotype is defined by the Oxford Dictionary

A stereotype is defined by the Oxford Dictionary Every individual holds stereotypes. A stereotype is defined by the Oxford Dictionary of Psychology (pg. 730) as: a relatively fixed and oversimplified generalisation about a group or class of people, usually focusing on negative or unfavourable characteristics. When people put too much faith in stereotypical descriptions of people they can become prejudiced and can often discriminate against other groups. This can be very harmful and has led to countless atrocities, such as the racial purging of the Jews by the Nazis. Prejudices still are being fought through laws, such as Equal Opportunities legislation. However, the subject being discussed is not whether stereotypes are harmful or justifiable; it is whether they have a practical purpose, or are wasteful. It is generally the common consensus that stereotyping and prejudice should not continue. However without stereotypes we may find the social world a lot harder to perceive and understand. We rely on stereotypes to help us function in society. With such a diverse population, the environment we live in could be very confusing. Unfortunately stereotypes may block out a lot of what makes our society so diverse and just group people into simple categories. They may also affect peoples choices in life. Career paths people may want to take could seem inappropriate for someone in their group and so are avoided. From an evolutionary standpoint, stereotypes must have a use because they exist. People start creating stereotypes from a very young age and they are hard to break. However, having a purpose doesnt exclude the fact that stereotypes are wasteful. The main beneficial use of stereotypes is that they greatly speed up cognitive processing. The world is full of people, they all look unique and the all behave differently. If each person chose to actively perceive and evaluate every individual they encountered, there wouldnt be much time for anything else. This is why stereotypes exist. People can glance around a room, see a spectrum of faces and not have to stop to think about each person. This frees up the brain for more important tasks. Macrae, Milne, Bodenhausen (1994) as cited by Taylor, Peplau, Sears (pg. 184). conducted an experiment to see if the priming of stereotypes can leave the brain freer to process other information. Students were presented with a list of trait words for an individual and, at the same time, information about Indonesia. Half of these students were first given a group label for the individual, e.g. Black or Italian. Those given the group label remembered more traits that were label consistent and more information about Indonesia. This demonstrates that stereotypes make the social world a lot easier to process and are definitely very useful. However, this oversimplification of the world we see can lead us to prejudice against other groups, and can lead to discrimination. People often look only at the negative characteristics of a group. In doing this we may waste the important contributions that these different groups perspectives can offer. Taylor, Fiske, Eticoff, Ruderman (1978) as cited by Taylor et al. (pg. 185) asked participants to observe a conversation between people of a mix of races. When asked to remember which individual made certain contributions the participants would often only be able to remember the race of the individual. This shows that people often place far too much emphasis on group membership and can ignore the attributes of the individual. This can lead people to ignore information that comes from a source that they may deem inferior. The second beneficial use of stereotypes is their ability to increase individuals self esteem. Everyone has the desire to increase their self esteem and a lack of self esteem can lead to depression and social isolation. Stereotypes can improve an individuals self esteem through a number of ways. Tajfel (1982) as cited by Taylor et al. (pg. 188) proposed the Social Identity Theory. This is the process by which people categorise the social world into in-groups, in which the individual is a member, and out-groups, into which everyone else is categorised. People can derive their self esteem from their inclusion in the in-group if they perceive their group to be superior to other groups. This is theory is enhanced by Tajfel, Billig, Bundy, Flament, (1971) as cited by Taylor et al. (pg. 186) and their theory of In-group Favouritism. People will automatically positively discriminate towards their in-group, which promotes the view of a superior in-group. Also Ethnocentrism can play a part in promoting self esteem, through the assumption that the in-group is the centre of the social world and is superior to all out-groups. While many people may argue that deriving self esteem from the view of superiority is immoral, that is not the topic being discussed. High self esteem is an advantage to all people, and so any method for raising self esteem can be seen as useful. But this method for promoting self esteem does come with disadvantages. The Social Identity theory can have quite negative effects on peoples lives. If an individual holds a negative image of the in-group or the in-group is associated with a negative stereotype then this can be harmful to the individuals self esteem. Asgari, Dasgupta Gilbert Cote (2010) undertook a longitudinal study into how exposure to successful in-group members affected female students. They found that not only did the students have to have frequent contact with the role model, but they also had to have evaluated the contact to be meaningful. This however not only improved their self concept of their in-group; it also raised their career aspirations and their engagement in their studies. This in turn led to improved academic success. This study shows that victims of stereotyping can often believe those stereotypes so much that it takes repeated, powerful interaction with stereotype inconsistent individuals to feel that they too can break out of the stereotype they find themselves in . People that are exposed to negative stereotypes are also subject to stereotype threat. Stereotype threat was first proposed by Aronson and Steele (1995) and it occurs when members of a group find themselves subject to a negative stereotype. It results in the individual being aware that they are being stereotypically evaluated and so their performance, in areas associated with the stereotype, suffer. However, stereotype threat has been shown to spill over into many areas of everyday living. Being in a stigmatized group can contribute to a number of societal problems, such as aggression, obesity, decision making and impulse control (Inzlicht Kang. 2010). This serves to maintain the negative stereotype. However the study by Inzlicht and Kang was a correlation study, and so cause and effect could not be inferred. This is one example of how stereotypes can be self fulfilling prophecies. However they can also act in a positive direction. If a person is aware of a positive stereotype about them then they can have an improved performance. Shih, Pittinsky Ambady (1999) as cited by Taylor et al. (pg. 172) showed that Asian women performed better at a maths test when the Asian stereotype was cued. However they performed worse when the women stereotype was cued. These studies show how stereotypes can have a dramatic effect on our behaviour without any conscious action. Stereotyping can also have affects on career choices. Women exposed to primes of gender inconsistent roles (e.g. a female surgeon) showed lower enthusiasm for these roles because of upward social comparison threat (Rudman Phelan. 2010). They felt threatened by being outperformed by someone in their in-group. If women didnt believe that it was rare for women to be able to become a surgeon, they may not have felt this comparison threat. Also students are often choosing to not go into a career in sales because of their stereotypes about salesmen. (Lee, Sandfield Bhaliwal. 2007). Students think of salesmen as pushy and unsatisfied, hence they assume that if they were to go into sales then they would waste the time they spent on their degree. This cuts off a career path that may have been right for some students, but they choose not to take it because of the stereotypes they hold. So while stereotypes do have some definite uses, they also create waste. Stereotypes speed up cognitive processing, which is necessary for people to function in the diverse social environment in which we find ourselves. This is at the cost of the individual; we lose focus of each person and just push people into categories. Stereotypes can increase the self esteem of some. However not all can gain the benefit of this boost in social identity. Stereotype threat can have a very negative effect of peoples lives. Stereotypes can waste the potential of many people that have denied themselves, or have been denied through prejudice. Stereotypes have led to the needless waste of life in wars and through civil struggles for equality. Therefore, while stereotypes serve a purpose, they waste potential, information and happiness.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses in English?

There are a number of both strengths and weaknesses which I possess in regards to English and the areas of reading and writing. My strengths are that I have a passion for reading, I have a good understanding of grammar and its correct usage and I am a decent speller. I also understand and respect that English is an important part of everyday life. My weaknesses are that I do not enjoy writing, I do not have a good writing process for when I do have to write and I tend to procrastinate when faced with an English assignment. I think that my biggest strength in English is that I love to read. One of my favorite pastimes is curling up with a good book, particularly a good murder mystery or suspense novel. I am pretty good at being able to extract information and understand the authors meaning from the piece of writing I am reading. It is also through my love for reading that I gain a broader view of the world and become more knowledgeable. Reading for enjoyment is a great way to learn about new things and not even realize it at the time! Another of my strengths in English is that I have a good grasp on grammar and word usage. This is something that I learned as a child but has improved over time, especially due to my work environment. Whether the goal is to achieve a higher education or persuade a company to use a service, using correct grammar can be the difference between succeeding and failing. This includes the proper use of vocabulary, punctuation, and standard grammar rules such as subject and verb agreement. The goal of communication is to be understandable; proper grammar is a crucial step in reaching this goal. The ability to spell is also an important strength in English. I was lucky when it came to spelling in school and had a certain gift for spelling. I never had to study much, if at all, for a spelling test. This helps a lot in my career when composing memos and proposals for clients. And although I am grateful to Microsoft Words spell check and auto correct functions they have â€Å"dulled† some of my skill in this area. English and writing are important and necessary in everyday life. English is used everyday both written and orally. It is a very important subject because it is a form of communication and is very important all around the world. How would businesses function with out some sort of base communication? They wouldn't. From letters to books to resumes, reading and writing is used by everyone. My biggest weakness in English is that I hate to write. I seem to have a hard time trying to articulate myself and get my ideas into words on paper. I especially do not enjoy writing about personal experiences. I think the main reason for this is that I am a private person and do not want my emotions to â€Å"pour† out on paper for everyone to see. Another contributing factor to writing being one of my weaknesses is my writing process. Well, actually I don't even have one! Usually, not always, but usually, I wait until the night before the paper is due and then begin to brainstorm and write out my thoughts. This is very ironic to me, because for every other class I have a scheduled study time and follow that very closely. Maybe because I dislike writing so much I don't plan on doing it. My lack of a writing process adds to another one of my weaknesses, being a procrastinator and having a lack of motivation (when it comes to English). When I am required to write a lengthy paper on a subject that is boring or unimportant to me as a person, the writing process is often tedious and mind numbing. I can mull the topic over and over in my mind and get no where! My only thoughts being that â€Å"I am NEVER going to get this done! † After looking at and thinking about several of my strengths and weaknesses in English, I would conclude that the best course of action for me would be to continue to use and practice activities that use my already strong skills. Making time in my busy schedule for brainstorming and critical thinking could be the first step in trying to overcome my weaknesses in English as they all pretty much stem from not wanting to write.

The Principles Of Communication And Communication Behavior

Letter of Advice Quinton Edwards COM200: Interpersonal Communication Joshua Misner Ph.D. June 27, 2016 It is great to see that you are getting married, but more importantly that you want tips and information on how you can communicate with one another appropriately and sufficiently to make your marriage last. Communication is not just listening and talking, but it involves wanting to maintain a healthy relationship, support on another, and identify with one another. As you continue to read my letter of advice you will see that I will be explain all the things that will help you communicate and not just talk at one another. Communication is a process not just listening and speaking. Explain the principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communication There are several principles to effective communication and they are: Take responsibility for your communication behavior. Frist, strive to be truthful, accurate, and clear in your communication with others. Secondly, remember that communication involves shared meaning. Each person in an interaction and not just the sender who has an equal responsibility to work toward achieving this mutual understanding and interpretation. Next, you must acknowledge that your view of a situation is only one of many views. We need to take the perspective of other people and consider how their point of view makes sense to them. Then we must respect others as well as yourself. 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Three through five year olds were shown a video where an actor drank a beverage and made a verbal statement (ex. I like it) that was inconsistent with her emotional expression (ex. frowning). The children were then asked whether or not the actor liked or disliked the beverage. If children used the verbal nonverbal consistency principle, they shouldRead MoreObservation of a Non-Certified Satff Member Implement a Program Designed by a Behavior Analyst1651 Words   |  7 Pagesobserve a non-certified staff member implement a program designed by a behavior analyst. Ethical issues that were observed, or potential et hical issues that could arise will be discussed and how they relate to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s (BACB) ethical guidelines. Following the discussion of ethical situations will be possible solutions to prevent ethical dilemmas from occurring while practicing as a behavior analyst. 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I Have1409 Words   |  6 PagesDear Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center, I have been recently taking an interpersonal communication course and have discovered a great deal of information that I believe can be extremely beneficial to our agency’s communication effectiveness. I invite you all to think back to one of our previous meetings, do you recall any of the following? A lack of eye contact, a lack of enthusiasm, and frustrated looks on faces? How about an overall sense of discontent so much so that people are disengagedRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Treadway Commission ( Coso )984 Words   |  4 PagesBusiness ethics refers to a code of morals that specify what form of conduct is expected from an individual. For that reason was established a Code of Professional Conduct which provides the set of principles to guide members of an organization in performing their duties in professional and accountable way. Every member of an organization from top to bottom is responsible to act in an ethical way. Members of the company very often get involved in mi sconduct when management sets up unrealistic objectivesRead MoreUsing The Internet And E Mail1010 Words   |  5 Pagescell phone has many benefits and can make workplace communication more efficient and effective. Therefore, employees are encouraged to use the Internet and e-mail systems appropriately. Unacceptable use of the Internet and e-mail can place the company and others at risk. The policy outlines the company’s guidelines for acceptable use of the Internet and e-mail Problem Statement Electronic communications has become the most popular communication practice in the professional environment, because ofRead MoreCommunication : Understanding Interpersonal Communication1554 Words   |  7 PagesI. Introduction AND Thesis Statement Communication is the number one key in a relationship, especially when you re talking about marriage. I would like to take this moment to say congratulation on your recent marriage. I want to tell you that communication helps build a healthy personal foundation by implementing small talk in helping resolve conflicts through growth and helps reduce any barriers that prevent you from having a happy, successful marriage. Remember that no one is perfect at communicating

The Decline Of The Early Twentieth Century - 2289 Words

Introduction The early twentieth century saw a gradual shift in the way Americans desired to care for struggling single mothers. The well-being of poverty stricken mothers, and their offspring became a social responsibility for the first time. Americans wanted to ensure that they were protected, and constant advocation to improve upon nineteenth century poor laws that favored separating families reached the White House in 1909. Incited by the peoples demands President Theodore Roosevelt called a conference to address their concerns on how to properly deal with poor single mothers. The outcome would be the formation of Mothers Pension, a â€Å"movement (that) sought to provide state aid for poor fatherless children who would remain in their own homes cared for by their mothers† (Warner, 2008) . Illinois would be the first state to implement the pension in 1911, but within the next twenty years all but two states would adopt similar practices. Unfortunately, in 1929 funds for Mo thers Pension started to steadily decline due to the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would discuss the lack of aid for single mothers at his State of the Union Address in January of 1935, as he stated, the time has come for action by the national government to provide security against the major hazards and vicissitudes of life†(Warner, 2008). Following his address President Roosevelt would replace Mothers Pension with Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). AFDC was the firstShow MoreRelatedWilliam Carlos Williams s The Twentieth Century833 Words   |  4 Pages The early twentieth century in the United States was a time of rapid change combined with rapid loss. As new technologies designed to improve everyday living became available to people across the nation, a new culture was rising in America: a culture that both afforded comfort and thrived on capitalism. 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