Psychological Impact of Stereotype

Psychological Impact of Stereotype Free Online Research Papers Society is shared with a diverse group of people who express individuality in their own distinct way. Although we may experience and share much of our culture with other people, and transfer it from one generation to another, it impacts everyone differently. Our culture is primarily responsible for the characteristics that make us unique and special. Culture is the shaping of our minds and our lives by the norms, morals, values, ideas, traditions, customs, art, history, and institutions. It also encompasses our physical attributes such as height, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. Culture has an undeniable impact on our attitudes, how we perceive the world, and our interpersonal interactions. Stereotypes We are all guilty of using stereotypes, more than we care to admit. Stereotypes are a quick and effective way we identify observable characteristics of a few representatives from a group. We may hear something secondhand, and we apply these attributes collectively to the whole. This brings about a view of the entire group that makes them seem less threatening and overwhelming. Using the stereotype allows the person to feel more comfortable and powerful. People judge other people, and fall short. Understanding the background, the values, traditions and the essence of an individual or a culture is difficult and time consuming. Therefore, it is easier to use limited knowledge to generalize and apply labels. Labels are generally prejudiced and biased, yet accepted as stereotypes for large cultures such as African American or Native American, but also smaller ones, such as women, liberals and conservatives, police officers, and religions. These all too commonly distort the view of particular individuals or groups. (Dahlstrom, 1993). Stereotypes make people judgmental about others. Oftentimes they are used as a scapegoat. Stereotypes allow a way to separate â€Å"their† behavior from â€Å"my† behavior. They prevent identifying and understanding the actual feelings experienced. The belief remains that the problem is how â€Å"those people† are, instead of addressing the feelings of hurt, confusion, anger, etc. (Moore, 2007). Negative Stereotyping has generated laws and rules that benefit some people, and exclude, or punish other people. The Jim Crow laws forcibly discrimated against African Americans and did not permit their entry into certain places, or allow them to take part in particular activities. The negative effect of internalizing the negative stereotype of a woman’s need to be very thin to be beautiful may harm a woman’s self-esteem. It could lead to eating disorders, and a vulnerability to plastic surgery that will perpetuate this image. The stereotype of Asian Americans as driven, successful and possessing extreme intelligence should be positive; however, it places an unnecessary burden on individuals to thrive and succeed, and may lead to depression and higher rates of suicide (Moore, 2007). To combat the effect of stereotypes, people should concentrate on relationship, on discovering the commonalities that all people share. When people share a common thread, the practice of respect and understanding come into play, rather than ignorant stereotyping that justifies terrible actions and behaviors. Homelessness The stereotype of the homeless population is made up of, old white men, the mentally ill, and runaway teens. Yet the homeless community is different from the primarily incorrect stereotypes. Homelessness results from family breakdown or tragedy, or natural disaster, or the socially less competent or disabled unable to receive familial or societal help. The majority of the homeless population is made up of working and underclass backgrounds, but it is not unfamiliar with people from all cultural identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and family types (Lacher, 2005). To live a normal life, a home to live in is required. The homeless do not have privacy, freedom, or independence. They do not have access to security or a place of their own to relax. The homeless cannot take a regular shower, have regular meals, a permanent address, phone number, or place to sleep. When a homeless person searches for a job, he or she may find one, then be turned away because of the stereotype and stigma related to living homeless. If he or she does acquire a job, it may be a burden to keep because the loss of resources connected with living in a home makes it difficult to be successful at the job. It is also unfortunate that many of the jobs available to the homeless population do not pay enough or provide the benefits that would overcome homelessness (Lacher, 2005). Homelessness is a hardship that produces a tragic outcome for many individuals and families. Psychological trauma resulting in emotional distress and emotional disorder is a potential and likely effect for those faced with the reality of homelessness. First, both the unexpected, sudden loss, and the gradual losing of a home, results in the sacrifice of neighbors, routines, and maybe even family members. The aftermath can undoubtedly be a severe stressor that produces symptoms of psychological stress and trauma. The ongoing burdens of lack of safety, no predictability or control that is associated with living in a homeless shelter, may wear away at the remaining coping mechanisms causing or exacerbating psychological stress and trauma. Finally, especially for women who become homeless after a history of physical or sexual abuse, psychological trauma will most likely be aggravated and there will be an overwhelming barrier to recovery (Goodman, Saxe, Harvey, 1991). Ageism In our society people are most often automatically sorted into three dominant categories: race, sex, and age. The most socially accepted and condoned prejudice in the United States today, is age prejudice (Nelson, 2002). Older people are stereotyped as physically ill, senile, sexually ineffective, and helpless. Wisdom and knowledge is the honorable gift of age. Instead of embracing the natural process of aging, most people dread the inevitability of becoming older, and all its social implications. The truth is, the older generation is made up of immensely diverse individuals who are not that easily classified. Society may view people over 65 with â€Å"one foot in the grave,† or â€Å"ready to be put out to pasture,† these individuals view themselves as active, energetic, and productive members of the community. It is an unfortunate attribute of our society that perpetuates the negative stereotypes that are aimed toward the elderly. These harmful biases and impressions cause people to develop wrong attitudes and behave adversely toward the aged. Older people’s ability to be vigorous, productive and creative doesn’t change. Rather, it is society’s unwillingness to see seniors as vital and effective contributors despite the fact that they reach retirement age. An unfortunate by product of internalizing these negative stereotypes results in many older individuals absorbing these concepts into his or her own mind-sets. This is an example of the self-fulfilling prophecy. By buying into society’s stereotype, the older person internalizes these assumptions and their behavior confirms the stereotype. A study has shown that older people who embrace a positive self-image of them aging, lived approximately 7.5 years longer than those with negative self-perceptions. Those people who have a positive experience with aging have better memories and better balance. Positive attitudes will foster a positive impact on aging (Stanford Edu., 2009). Conclusion Perhaps there is nothing that will end society’s ingrained bias that Asian Americans are ruthlessly successful, the homeless are mentally unstable drug addicts, and the elderly are frail and powerless. The exaggeration of negative aspects, simplifying preconceived images of people, is societies obsession. An awareness of the background, the values, traditions and the essence of an individual or a culture would reveal the inadequacies of these misinterpreted stereotypes. When people build mutual relationships the practice of respect and understanding come into play, rather than ignorant stereotyping that justifies terrible actions and behaviors. References: Dahlstrom, W. (1993). Tests: Small samples, large consequences. American Psychologist, 48(4), 393-399. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.48.4.393 Goodman, L., Saxe, L., Harvey, M. (1991). Homelessness as psychological trauma: Broadening perspectives. American Psychologist, 46(11), 1219-1225. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.46.11.1219. Lacher, A. (2005).- Homelessness and Poverty: A Cross Cultural Study of Homelessness and Social Policy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Marriott Hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA Online . 2009-05-25 from allacademic.com/meta/p22313_index.html Moore, J. (2007Year, May 4). The effects of stereotyping [Opinion and editorial]. Message posted to associatedcontent.com/article/233134/the_effects_of_stereotyping_pg2.html?cat=9 Nelson, T.D. (2002). Ageism: stereotyping and prejudice against older persons. : MIT Press. Stanford Edu.. (2009). Global public health and marginalized populations: sexuality, disability, age, etc.. Retrieved from http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/marginalizedpop/2009/05/14/global-public-health-and-the-elderly-ageism-and-mental-health/ Research Papers on Psychological Impact of Stereotype19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementHip-Hop is ArtCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesCapital Punishment

Tips For Writing Effective Middle School Essay

Tips For Writing Effective Middle School Essay Middle School Essays: Effective Research Topics Argumentative essays focus on giving the target audience back up information regarding a specified topic of discussion. It has the same characteristics as a persuasive essay since it endeavors to give explanations regarding a side of the topic you are in support of. The difference between the two lies on the fact that argumentative essays do not allow the description of personal beliefs by the essay writer, while persuasive essays emphasize on this. While writing an argumentative essay, you are required to mention the side of the topic you feel supportive of. After doing this, provide an explanation using valid reasons why you support the side. Use the counter-arguments of your perspective to create your argument. This will help you convince the reader of the credibility and value of your point of view. Several subjects are available which you may use to find a suitable approach to writing your middle school argumentative essay. As you try to pick a topic of discussion, have in mind the most interesting one you pick will give you better engagement to tackle it and write a quality paper. After you figure out the topic of discussion, provide a response to the query and back it up with at least four reasons that orient you to prefer that particular point of view. For example, put yourself in a situation that you have picked a topic from our list provided below. The topic states, â€Å"Is it an informed move for education institutions to sell fast food?† if you are against, begin your essay with â€Å"it is a uniformed move for school institutions to sell fast food to students† after this, explain to the audience using three points of argument that support your point of view. Here are some samples questions that may help you craft your own topic to write about: Is it an informed choice for sports to be coeducational? Should education institutions sell fast foods? Do you find it a good idea for your school to launch a school magazine? Do children waste so much time watching TV programs? Is it prudent to give children chores? Do you support the notion to give children more pocket money? What age limit should be approved for one to be home alone? Should sports be made a compulsory school subject? Should school bullies be awarded more disciplinary action? Do you believe adolescent and preadolescent kids can safely stroll around shopping centers without a parent or guardian? Is it prudent to award less homework for students? Are middle school attendees above the age limit where bedtime is imposed? What alterations would you impose on the student’s lunch selection? Should the government create a law where seatbelt use is mandatory on a traveling bus? Should the children who are good in sports activities be encouraged to take sports as a school subject Should kids be more attentive of the foodstuffs they eat as a way of avoiding future health issues? Should students who attend school all year long receive more vacations as a way of enhancing the process of education? Are the behaviors children express come from the influence of playing action videogames or watching TV programs? Are there any valid reasons why summer school is of help to students? Should the students be awarded less homework? You can choose any of the topics above for your argumentative essay. Each is structured to address a controversial perspective which engages the writer and reader to show their point of view. Moreover, you should explain each idea you have come up within the body paragraphs, and give reasons that support your point of view.