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Introduction
The following essay will discuss the topic of stereotyping, and how
it affects society when practiced. What is stereotyping, and what are the
causes? Is it related to instinct? These questions will be put reason,
based on fact. When the facts have been made clear, a valid opinion
regarding the topic of stereotyping will be made. Stereotyping is quite
common among society, yet it is also quite difficult point out what it
really is.
Stereotyping is referred to as any theory or doctrine indicating
that that actions of an individual reflect on his or her whole culture, sex,
age, race, class, or nationality. It could also be considered as a tool
which people use to label others. In practice, one looks at a other, and
begins to make generalizations about any physical or intellectual
attributes one may possess, and then classes them into a certain category.
Adopting stereotype ideas, one assumes that the behavior of one represents
everyone of that class. If a young Japanese boy is excelling in math, for
example, then a stereotype attitude would be to assume that all Japanese
boys are good at math. It is quite obvious that this is not always so.
Knowing this, does that mean that stereotyping is “wrong”? When is it
considered “correct”, if ever? We are provided with prerogative to think
however we like, but is it correct in assuming that stereotyping is immoral
and unfair? This topic will be more discriptive through the proceeding.
Stereotyping
As it was mentioned in the Introduction, stereotyping is relative
to making generalizations towarRAB a whole culture, class, or nation, etc.
based on the actions of one or a select few. It is quite obvious that the
accuracy rate of observing in such a manner would be quite minimal, yet
there are people who practice it and people who have done it before,
including myself. I would be telling an absolute lie if were to say that I
have never stereotyped anyone. Who is to say why I have, for I am not a
prejudiced person as far I can tell.
Yet I have caught myself thinking that all people from Hong Kong
are filthy rich, because the majority of the people that I know,
originating from there (which is not many) seem to be quite well off
financially, with their fancy cars and clothing. Well the truth is, there
are people who filthy rich living in Hong Kong, as well as people who are
dirt poor. The jealousy towarRAB my acquaintances from Hong Kong, lead me
to believe that all people from there are rich. That is a classic example
of stereotyping, within my experience. Looking back on that predicament,
which was about two years ago, makes me feel feeble-minded, for the
assumption was quite ridiculous. I am glad, however, that it had occurred,
because it has enlightened me to the point that I will remeraber not to even
think along the lines of something as ridiculous as that.
There are many other various examples of stereotyping regarding
nationality, such as: The Irish are considered as uncontrollable
alcoholics, the Chinese are portrayed as illusive thieves, Jewish people as
being inherently cheap and Natives as being lazy and apathetic. All of
which, are very unwarranted judgment, for there is minimal if not any
credible evidence backing it up. Yes there may be a few Irish alcoholics,
Chinese thieves, cheap Jewish people, and lazy Natives, but that does not
mean, however, that they are all like they are said to be.
A person who stereotypes could be considered as a prejudiced person.
A prejudiced person does not take the time to understand another as an
individual. Instead, they make preconceptions about another, regarding
their age, sex, race, nationality, class or culture. In my previous case,
I was prejudiced about my acquaintances from Hong Kong's nationality or
culture.
The general relationship between a person who is prejudiced and a
person who stereotypes is the fact that they are both mean-spirited. That
is, they violate the rights of individuals by forming perceptions about
people based solely on their merabership in a particular group. Consequently,
they fail to judge people based on their merits and individual traits but
on generalized notions derived from popular culture. I contend that in many
instances that the tendency to prejudge other humans is an act of ignorance
more than an intentional behaviour.
Cause and Distinction
Some would think that stereotyping is a subconscious or instinctive
action from within, and that may be considered true, only to a certain
degree however. There is a fine distinction between innate behaviours
opposed to conditioned behaviours. Instinct is an innate behaviour which
is part of our natural intuition from the point of which we are born.
Stereotyping would not come as an automatic reflex action in any situation,
thus it can be said that it is not an instinctive behaviour. It is an
action which is learned and conditioned through perioRAB of time, just as
racism, sexism, and enthoncentrism, etc.
There are some cases when stereotyping could indirectly act in
one's favour, however the amount is quite minimal. If a unpleasant looking
black male, for example, were following you in the middle of the night, it
would seem unclear whether to foster stereotype ideas and run like mad to
get away, for black people have been portrayed solely as gangsters and
muggers, or remain walking a normal pace and risk getting attacked.
Instinct would likely tell you to run for safety, however the follower
being “black” should have nothing to do with a his credibility. It is the
fact that he is following you in the middle of the night, which is a
perfect time to spring an attack. Technically stereotyping really has
nothing to do with this particular situation, however people may say that
it does.
Common catalysts for influencing such beliefs like racism, sexism,
enthoncentrism, and stereotyping are media, like newspaper articles and
headlines, television programs, and radio broadcastings, etc. The media
has the power to direct any message, however it may see fit, and affix it
to the viewers' thoughts. The media has abused its power to the point of
which it has caused actual fatalities. Approximately during the late
1950's, for example, there was a sudden unwarranted broadcast stating that
the Martians had landed somewhere in San Fransisco. This broadcast shocked
the nation and caused absolute panic within the hearts of the Americans.
Fortunately, the broadcast was revealed to be false. Consequently, before
that could be revealed, people had already begun to flee from the country
and even commit suicide. The initial intention of this broadcast was for
pure entertainment. However, I fail to see a sign of anything entertaining.
I believe this was a test to see how far people would actually go in
favour of what they see or hear. This abusing of power by the media is one
of the many fosters of stereotyping.
Another origin of stereotyping, is through the social pipeline.
Social stereotypes and generalizations derived from popular culture are
what I consider to be “prepackaged labels” we can assign to people. This
saves us the time and effort of understanding the complexities of other
human beings different from us. In all fairness, it can be said that all
cultures participate in this endeavor. No one or group has a monopoly on
prejudice and stereotype behaviour.
Closing Statement
I believe that it has been made quite clear that stereotyping is
very “wrong”, for it deprives a person of the natural right to be
recognised as an individual., something which we all want and deserve.
Sometimes it's easier to say that this person must be “like this” because
his or her people are “all like that” instead of taking time to find out
what the person is really like. Labeling people into certain group might
make it seem easy to understand people, but the truth is it's not easy,
because life isn't easy. There are no shortcuts in understanding the ways
people work, for we full of complexities and a uniqueness which cannot be
just “wrapped up” in a single unwarranted perception. I appreciate the
fact that I can be picked out of a group of people for having distinct
differences in qualities, but not based solely on what I look like, but
about who “I am.” Being stereotyped robs me of what
I can call myself......an individual. If I were to lose that,
then I would have no reason to live.
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[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1431 [/FONT]
Introduction
The following essay will discuss the topic of stereotyping, and how
it affects society when practiced. What is stereotyping, and what are the
causes? Is it related to instinct? These questions will be put reason,
based on fact. When the facts have been made clear, a valid opinion
regarding the topic of stereotyping will be made. Stereotyping is quite
common among society, yet it is also quite difficult point out what it
really is.
Stereotyping is referred to as any theory or doctrine indicating
that that actions of an individual reflect on his or her whole culture, sex,
age, race, class, or nationality. It could also be considered as a tool
which people use to label others. In practice, one looks at a other, and
begins to make generalizations about any physical or intellectual
attributes one may possess, and then classes them into a certain category.
Adopting stereotype ideas, one assumes that the behavior of one represents
everyone of that class. If a young Japanese boy is excelling in math, for
example, then a stereotype attitude would be to assume that all Japanese
boys are good at math. It is quite obvious that this is not always so.
Knowing this, does that mean that stereotyping is “wrong”? When is it
considered “correct”, if ever? We are provided with prerogative to think
however we like, but is it correct in assuming that stereotyping is immoral
and unfair? This topic will be more discriptive through the proceeding.
Stereotyping
As it was mentioned in the Introduction, stereotyping is relative
to making generalizations towarRAB a whole culture, class, or nation, etc.
based on the actions of one or a select few. It is quite obvious that the
accuracy rate of observing in such a manner would be quite minimal, yet
there are people who practice it and people who have done it before,
including myself. I would be telling an absolute lie if were to say that I
have never stereotyped anyone. Who is to say why I have, for I am not a
prejudiced person as far I can tell.
Yet I have caught myself thinking that all people from Hong Kong
are filthy rich, because the majority of the people that I know,
originating from there (which is not many) seem to be quite well off
financially, with their fancy cars and clothing. Well the truth is, there
are people who filthy rich living in Hong Kong, as well as people who are
dirt poor. The jealousy towarRAB my acquaintances from Hong Kong, lead me
to believe that all people from there are rich. That is a classic example
of stereotyping, within my experience. Looking back on that predicament,
which was about two years ago, makes me feel feeble-minded, for the
assumption was quite ridiculous. I am glad, however, that it had occurred,
because it has enlightened me to the point that I will remeraber not to even
think along the lines of something as ridiculous as that.
There are many other various examples of stereotyping regarding
nationality, such as: The Irish are considered as uncontrollable
alcoholics, the Chinese are portrayed as illusive thieves, Jewish people as
being inherently cheap and Natives as being lazy and apathetic. All of
which, are very unwarranted judgment, for there is minimal if not any
credible evidence backing it up. Yes there may be a few Irish alcoholics,
Chinese thieves, cheap Jewish people, and lazy Natives, but that does not
mean, however, that they are all like they are said to be.
A person who stereotypes could be considered as a prejudiced person.
A prejudiced person does not take the time to understand another as an
individual. Instead, they make preconceptions about another, regarding
their age, sex, race, nationality, class or culture. In my previous case,
I was prejudiced about my acquaintances from Hong Kong's nationality or
culture.
The general relationship between a person who is prejudiced and a
person who stereotypes is the fact that they are both mean-spirited. That
is, they violate the rights of individuals by forming perceptions about
people based solely on their merabership in a particular group. Consequently,
they fail to judge people based on their merits and individual traits but
on generalized notions derived from popular culture. I contend that in many
instances that the tendency to prejudge other humans is an act of ignorance
more than an intentional behaviour.
Cause and Distinction
Some would think that stereotyping is a subconscious or instinctive
action from within, and that may be considered true, only to a certain
degree however. There is a fine distinction between innate behaviours
opposed to conditioned behaviours. Instinct is an innate behaviour which
is part of our natural intuition from the point of which we are born.
Stereotyping would not come as an automatic reflex action in any situation,
thus it can be said that it is not an instinctive behaviour. It is an
action which is learned and conditioned through perioRAB of time, just as
racism, sexism, and enthoncentrism, etc.
There are some cases when stereotyping could indirectly act in
one's favour, however the amount is quite minimal. If a unpleasant looking
black male, for example, were following you in the middle of the night, it
would seem unclear whether to foster stereotype ideas and run like mad to
get away, for black people have been portrayed solely as gangsters and
muggers, or remain walking a normal pace and risk getting attacked.
Instinct would likely tell you to run for safety, however the follower
being “black” should have nothing to do with a his credibility. It is the
fact that he is following you in the middle of the night, which is a
perfect time to spring an attack. Technically stereotyping really has
nothing to do with this particular situation, however people may say that
it does.
Common catalysts for influencing such beliefs like racism, sexism,
enthoncentrism, and stereotyping are media, like newspaper articles and
headlines, television programs, and radio broadcastings, etc. The media
has the power to direct any message, however it may see fit, and affix it
to the viewers' thoughts. The media has abused its power to the point of
which it has caused actual fatalities. Approximately during the late
1950's, for example, there was a sudden unwarranted broadcast stating that
the Martians had landed somewhere in San Fransisco. This broadcast shocked
the nation and caused absolute panic within the hearts of the Americans.
Fortunately, the broadcast was revealed to be false. Consequently, before
that could be revealed, people had already begun to flee from the country
and even commit suicide. The initial intention of this broadcast was for
pure entertainment. However, I fail to see a sign of anything entertaining.
I believe this was a test to see how far people would actually go in
favour of what they see or hear. This abusing of power by the media is one
of the many fosters of stereotyping.
Another origin of stereotyping, is through the social pipeline.
Social stereotypes and generalizations derived from popular culture are
what I consider to be “prepackaged labels” we can assign to people. This
saves us the time and effort of understanding the complexities of other
human beings different from us. In all fairness, it can be said that all
cultures participate in this endeavor. No one or group has a monopoly on
prejudice and stereotype behaviour.
Closing Statement
I believe that it has been made quite clear that stereotyping is
very “wrong”, for it deprives a person of the natural right to be
recognised as an individual., something which we all want and deserve.
Sometimes it's easier to say that this person must be “like this” because
his or her people are “all like that” instead of taking time to find out
what the person is really like. Labeling people into certain group might
make it seem easy to understand people, but the truth is it's not easy,
because life isn't easy. There are no shortcuts in understanding the ways
people work, for we full of complexities and a uniqueness which cannot be
just “wrapped up” in a single unwarranted perception. I appreciate the
fact that I can be picked out of a group of people for having distinct
differences in qualities, but not based solely on what I look like, but
about who “I am.” Being stereotyped robs me of what
I can call myself......an individual. If I were to lose that,
then I would have no reason to live.
[/FONT]
[FONT=tahoma, arial]WorRAB: 1431 [/FONT]