Sorry this was so late! But, here we go...
We all live in a society in which stereotypes have become a large part of our lives, whether we consciously place people in stereotypes or not. Many of us have been stereotyped based on the school we attend, the clothes that we wear, the classes we take, our ethnicity, and who we are friends with. Going to IHA someone may look at us in our uniform and think we must be the greatest thing to walk the face of the earth, or that we are snobby catholic school girls. Based on our ethnicity someone may assume we eat dogs or love rice if we are Asian, or think we are superior to others if we are white. By what we wear someone may call us preppy, a jock, a nerd, a hipster and so forth. (yes I did realize this started to sound like
The Breakfast Club) In this article Bella DePaulo reports a study in which groups of people talk about the stereotype they were categorized, how they felt and how they reacted to being stereotyped.
What are your opinions on stereotypes? Have you ever stereotyped a person? Have you been stereotyped and how did it make you feel? How do you react to being stereotyped? How can stereotyping impact a person's life?
I think stereotypes are not a good or fair thing, because you cannot judge people based on external factors. However, I am guilty of stereotyping at one point or another, maybe based on how someone was dressed or looked. I think a lot of people stereotype but not intentionally, I know I do not want to automatically make assumptions about complete strangers but I do it without realizing. I actually have been stereotyped based on going to IHA, when I met some of my friend's friends and they said they were surprised we got along since I went to a Catholic school. Obviously I do not like being stereotyped based on where I go to school however, I think it shows people are able to overcome stereotypes if they are willing to get to know a person.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dylan when she says that you cannot judge people based on their outward features. I definitely think we were all stereotyped and we stereotyped others when we came to IHA, but because we had to wear a uniform, it was a little bit more difficult. I think clothes play a big part in making judgments about people, because we've learned to associate certain styles and certain combinations of clothing with labels. For example, if someone were to wear all black clothes with dark makeup, we would think they were "goth" and dark and depressed, and we would make these assumptions even before we talked to this person. I think this is one of the negatives of thin-slicing. We have to be careful when we're thin slicing that we're not stereotyping or labeling that person, because that can lead to us making further judgments that may be incorrect. I know whenever I feel like I'm being stereotyped I'm more self-conscious and aware of the people around me and the actions I'm making. I'm constantly wondering if what I'm doing is "acceptable" within society or the group of people I'm with. It's difficult because you lose focus on what you're supposed to be focused on, instead of being so fixated.
ReplyDeleteAlthough some people may not intentionally stereotype someone, I believe that stereotyping is an automatic response people have when first meeting someone. Based on our societal views, whenever we meet someone we automatically make assumptions about they way they look, act, and talk. I have to admit that I do stereotype against people, even though I don't do it intentionally. Sometimes I even am horrified with the assumptions I make and have to remind myself that I shouldn't be making such judgments. The reason why I now try to stop myself is because I too have been stereotyped. Automatically, people assume that I'm a blonde teenage girl who doesn't know much about anything. I'm often blown away when mid conversation with someone I get the same response, "Woah...you're actually really smart!" These comments usually annoy me since I work hard in school and study at home, yet people automatically assume I'm unintelligent because of the way I look. Stereotyping can have negative effects on someone's life. In my own personal experience, stereotyping has only made me try to expand my vocabulary, and further develop my opinions in order to teach people to give others the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteFrom the first day of kindergarten, we were all told to never judge a book by its' cover and as we got older, we were told not to stereotype people, but the fact of the matter is that we all do it.
ReplyDeleteAs a black person, I definitely have been stereotyped, too many times to even count. Being classified as "not really black" being called an "oreo" or being told that i speak "white" all stem from the stereotypes that people have about black and white people in general. These stupid and ignorant comments used to offend me and make me angry to point of tears, but now, as I have gotten older, I no longer care what people think. If someone still thinks of obvious stereotypes as the truth, then what business do I have associating with them or letting someone so ignorant affect me? I used to walk into a room, trying to make an impression and prove those who may have negative stereotypes about my race, wrong, but now, I am true to myself, which in many occasions proves ignorant people wrong anyway.
I definitely think that I have been stereotyped - I think that everyone probably has, especially teenage girls - and honestly it does not really bother me much. People often assume things about me based on their first interaction with me, and I have even had someone who I am extremely close with now tell me that they did not like me at all when they first met me; oddly enough, I felt the same way, assuming that she was dumb and annoying because of what she wore, who she was friends with, and how she acted when I first met her. Like Regan said, I think that thin slicing people can often be precarious, because it is easy to make false assumptions about a person, and those assumptions can harm or prevent a friendship. I have had people stereotype me as just about everything, and I do agree that you become numb the more you are stereotyped as something, maybe even getting to a point where you can laugh it off. However, I think that I have been pretty lucky overall, and I think that there are many people who have a much tougher time when it comes to stereotyping than I have had.
ReplyDeleteI know that this may be a over used quote but I really believe that you cannot judge a book by its cover because you never really know what can be on those pages. By judging people based on their outer appearance(their cover) you are stereotyping them. I personally believe that stereotypes are bad and can end up being the exact opposite of what and who people really are.Personally I have never stereotyped a person because I feel that everyone is equal and should not be treated differently just because they may be a different skin color, or wear a different style of clothing than you do or even if they attend a catholic high school. Like Dylan, I have also been stereotyped for going to IHA. They always ramble on about how people who attend IHA pay more and go less and just assume that I am so rich because my parents pay for me to attend a school other then my town's. Little do they know that I live in an average size house and chose to go to IHA solely to receive a better education. When people make this stereotype I feel helpless and have no idea what to say but when I do manage to utter how I go to IHA to prepare me for college and also because it gets you away from the drug scenes that may be occurring at your local high school. Stereotyping can affect someone because it can shut down a person so they feel that they are doing the wrong thing. This often makes people feel depressed.
ReplyDeleteStereotyping just isn't fair. It's difficult not to stereotype, consciously we don't want to stereotype, but it does happen. I have been stereotyped before in very different ways. I either get stereotyped as a girl who is capable of doing anything other than "making a sandwich". Or i get stereotyped as a nerd that just reads books. Yes I can make a sandwich and yes I read, but they aren't the only things I can do! It's a little frustrating and depending on the situation I might speak up about it, in others I'll bite my tongue and wait till I get home then vent to a friend. Stereotyping can have negative effects on many people's lives, it makes people feel less empowered and less significant.
ReplyDeleteMy opinions on stereotypes is exactly what a stereotype is, a generalization. A generalization can be true but it’s not always true. We can’t judge books by their covers, if we did we’d be missing out on a great story. I am sorry to say that I have stereotyped many times but I never, or at least I hope that I never have, let that mislead my judgment about a person.
ReplyDeleteI have been stereotyped whether it be because I bowl, I go to an all girl catholic school, I’m the second child, I use to wear classes and had braces, or for other reasons. And in plain English, it sucks because whatever that person thought “I was” was never true. I had to work harder to show that person who I truly was, which was exhausting. I watched everything I said, but then I realized I don’t care about this person so why should I care how they think of me. I believe stereotyping can greatly impact a person’s life because stereotyping leads to bullying and bullying can screw someone up mentally.
I absolutely agree that stereotyping is a really common occurrence, even though it shouldn't be. I must admit that I've been guilty of stereotyping but most of the time, it's subconsciously. I definitely think that it's unjust and unfair to judge simply based on appearance of certain circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI have been stereotyped before. I'm sure that just by wearing a school uniform in public, people have judged me as either innocent and sheltered or privileged. Though it shouldn't really matter what people think, this type of judgment can negatively impact people. It can lead to people become more closed off from others for fear of being judged or it can lead to heightened sensitivity towards being judged in this way. I feel like people should be more aware of how they perceive people and should try to change the way in which they express these perceptions. They shouldn't jump straight to conclusions but should be more open and non-judgmental.
Stereotypes are what society uses as a way to classify people and group them. I do not feel that it is right and our society has become desensitized to it. Everyone stereotypes and I bet majority of the time they do not even realize they are doing it. I would be lying if I said I did not stereotype I think that it takes a lot of consciousness to stop stereotyping. I know that I have been stereotyped in all aspects of my life one example would be that I'm a runner and runners are typically uncool people. It does not bother me because I don't think it is that pertinent but I definitively believe it could deeply affect someone. A person can become self conscious and not have any confidence and feel they are not worthy.
ReplyDeleteI think stereotyping is unfair because it is a generalization based on appearance most of the time. I have stereotyped people, but I don't think it's intentional. Like Meg said, I think it's subconscious. I have been stereotyped before but I think it is only because I'm quiet at first, and sometimes quiet can be mistaken as thinking you're better than everyone else. A good way to react to stereotyping would be the prove that you're not the person people think you are. Sometimes it may lead the people being judged to become closed off and stand off-ish.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brittany that stereotypes are unfair generalizations that are usually made without one actually knowing the person they're making judgments about. Sometimes I feel like people can't help making these judgments, as they're typically done unconsciously without even noticing they're making them. This probably results from stereotypes portrayed through the media, by attributing characteristics such as stuck up or snobby to people who dress preppy, and so on. By going to IHA, I feel that more likely than not I've been stereotyped as well. Although whatever someone may stereotype me as doesn't really bother me, I can see how it could really affect someone, especially if one is attributing a negative stereotype to them. Stereotypes can impact one by either reinforcing their behavior, whether good or bad, or causing them to feel out of place or different. Either way, stereotyping should be avoided as you can never tell how it will affect someone as each person may react differently.
ReplyDeleteI think that stereo types are inevitable. I agree with Maria and how she thinks they are unfair but I think that they will always happen. Thoughts often just come to our minds because of our experiences and we can't always stop this. I definitely have stereotyped people. As I said earlier, thoughts just come to a person's mind and you can really stop them. Instead, I try to not let my stereotyping affect the way I treat another person. I have been stereotyped since I am Indian. When I was younger, many people would ask if my mom wore a red dot on her head or if I was going to be a doctor when I got older. I did not like these stereotypes because they made me feel like I had to fit a certain mold and that I didn't have room to branch out. I ignore beings stereotyped because I know I have done the same thing. I can't get mad at people for doing something that I would have done. Stereotyping can affect the way people turn out int their lives. Rather than living to their full potential, they may do something because that is what their stereotype says that they have to do.
ReplyDeleteI think that stereotyping is a natural occurrence. We stereotype people falsely based on what we see and hear from the media and what our peers or elders may think and say. Thinking something about someone may be natural, but I think that we have the choice whether or not we act on that stereotypical thought, thus harming a relationship or revealing ourselves to be a judgmental person. I have stereotyped people but I try my hardest to not act on those thoughts because I recognize that they might not be true and they are just brought up by the media and my environment. I think I have been stereotyped and it can be hurtful, especially because I know the person acted on those judgmental thoughts as opposed to recognizing that they may not be true. I agree with my classmates in saying that one who is stereotyped more grows accustomed to it and may become desensitized while a person who does not usually experience stereotyping, like myself, may be more sensitive and not accepting of it.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion stereotypes are harmful, they can hurt others and make the person who is creating the stereotype up look ignorant. But i do feel it is in our nature to automatically stereotype some people, we use our thin slicing ability and make fast judgement about them.These judgement have the power to turn into stereotypes. I feel that being an IHA student we all get stereotyped. I'm stereotyped by adults as being a smart rich girl (so not true) or by other teenagers as being snobby. Although these stereotypes linger around us i know they are not true and do not let them affect my life. I refuse to waste time on something in my life that is not beneficial to me or anyone around me. I think if you do not have a strong sense of who you are and have high self esteem stereotyping can really hurt you, you may take people words to heart and really feel the pain.
ReplyDeleteI think that today's society is based a lot on physical appearance and the groups you are part of. I believe that everyone stereotypes whether they mean it or not. When you see a girl with bleach blonde hair and big in the bust area, people automatically think that she is a ditts and puts herself out there. However, she could be one of the smartest persons out there. You do not know anything about the persons personality by the quick snap judgement you make on their appearance or group they are in. Yes, I have stereotyped a person. Its something everyone does. You can make your judgement but if you don't take time to get to know them rather then just your stereotype, your not giving that person a chance. I would hate to be stereotyped. I would not want someone to judge me based on my clothing or friends. If they stereotype me based on that, then I would not want to be friends with them. If you stereotype someone, you can impact their life. If you see a football player and call them stupid and tell them that they are stupid, when the player might actually have a 4.0 gpa, you might force that person to believe they are stupid. By forcing that, you are changing the person for the worse.
ReplyDeleteI feel that stereotypes, although unfair are part of daily life. In society people have been conditioned to think specific things about specific kinds of people. Often though, people say things that happen to be stereotypes but are also true. For example, I am Asian and I am also smart. Sometimes people say that I am a smart Asian and others yell at them for being stereotypical when in fact they are just making a neutral statement. In this situation I just follow the stereotype but people can misconstrue the situation thinking it is stereotyping. There are other situations, like in The Breakfast Club, when stereotyping in unjustified. The people were more than their "type". Just as people think going to an all-girl's school makes you a lesbian and I don't know anyone at IHA who is actually a lesbian. Stereotyping is part of everyday life and people use it unfairly but they also don't understand it.
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