Opinions needed : My responce to a stereotype/prejeduice question
12-Oct-2006, 06:16 PM
#1
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Opinions needed : My responce to a stereotype/prejeduice question
Hey guys, in one of my courses we had to answere some questions about stereotypes and prejeduce, and of couse the questions are all aimed at being politically correct. But I decided to play the devils advocate on the entire thing and express my opionion on the issue as ALL of us see it, but no on says it. Keep in mind prejeduice/stereotyping is EXTREAMLY different from a racists, I dispise those kind of people. I just want to get that out of the way before someone uneducated decides to whipe out the R card to make a responce.
Q:
Are there any potential benefits of stereotyping? If so, can prejudice or stereotyping ever be justified? Under what circumstances?
First and foremost, we know that stereotyping is an attitude expressed towards individuals of a group, therefore it is considered socially wrong. On the other hand if we changed the word stereotype to judgement and individuals/group to situation and asked rephrased the question “Can your judgement towards a situation ever be justified?” would it still result in the same answerer? Only as individuals can we answerer the question, therefore the reasoning and justification behind the answerer will hold no merit other than to the individual. It is our nature, and it will constantly be our nature to make judgements on all people and situations so there is no point to automatically black listing stereotyping as absolutely wrong as long as we are willing to accept others for who they are as an individual. We hear and see stereotyping taking place everyday and everywhere we look, and example of this is the news. They constantly warn us about internet chat rooms, walking by ourselves late at night, kids not to talk to strangers and countless other potentially harmfully situations we should avoid. All this information does is create (or reinforce) our judgements, or I should say all this stereotyping and prejudice does is allow us to justify our decisions. When we impersonalize a judgement, it is not viewed as socially unacceptable but in reality, it is no different from any other form of preconceived judgement. As a result all judgements, be it stereotypical or prejudice can be justified on an individual personal level, but not justified in a socially diverse community.
Q:
Are there any potential benefits of stereotyping? If so, can prejudice or stereotyping ever be justified? Under what circumstances?
First and foremost, we know that stereotyping is an attitude expressed towards individuals of a group, therefore it is considered socially wrong. On the other hand if we changed the word stereotype to judgement and individuals/group to situation and asked rephrased the question “Can your judgement towards a situation ever be justified?” would it still result in the same answerer? Only as individuals can we answerer the question, therefore the reasoning and justification behind the answerer will hold no merit other than to the individual. It is our nature, and it will constantly be our nature to make judgements on all people and situations so there is no point to automatically black listing stereotyping as absolutely wrong as long as we are willing to accept others for who they are as an individual. We hear and see stereotyping taking place everyday and everywhere we look, and example of this is the news. They constantly warn us about internet chat rooms, walking by ourselves late at night, kids not to talk to strangers and countless other potentially harmfully situations we should avoid. All this information does is create (or reinforce) our judgements, or I should say all this stereotyping and prejudice does is allow us to justify our decisions. When we impersonalize a judgement, it is not viewed as socially unacceptable but in reality, it is no different from any other form of preconceived judgement. As a result all judgements, be it stereotypical or prejudice can be justified on an individual personal level, but not justified in a socially diverse community.
12-Oct-2006, 06:32 PM
#2
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i see where you're trying to go with your answer, but it's not a very good one IMO...one hole that i could poke in it very easily is that when you say 'judgement of situations' that's a current ongoing process that happens when you're in a situation... where is a stereotype is a pre-concieved notion that you have BEFORE you get to the 'situation'.
i also wouldn't associate stereotyping with prejudice...
Stereotyping is beneficial to us humans because it saves our brain 'computing' time when confronted with a situation. An example of that (not a good one) is when you are stepping onto an escalator, you see the escalator and you expect it to be moving... ever stepped on an escalator that isn't moving and u have that split second where your body has to adjust? that's the proof right there, your body has learned to adjust automatically to the motion of it, to save you the time of processing that the escalator is moving... now that's not a really good example because it becomes very deeply imbedded in your subconscious, but it sorta shows what i'm trying to say.
When you go into a wal-mart and you're looking for someone to help you you look for someone with a blue smock, because you've created a stereotype that tells you all people with blue smocks inside wal-mart are associates and can help you with whatever you need. Instead of asking other shoppers who can help you, or going up to everyone with a blue smock on to read their name tag to make sure they work for wal-mart your stereotype allows you to save that time and work more efficiently.
prejudice on the other hand would be 'all people with blue smocks in wal-mart are dumbasses with no education and should be paid less than they're making now, and i'm better than them because i'm going to school and i'm gonna make something of myself.'
that's a little more extreme, but ya... big difference between prejudice and stereotyping...
when answering a question like this you have to be VERY careful when you start substituting words for each other... because very quickly you just totally changed the question to suit your answer when you said stereotyping people = judging situations... that's definitely not the same thing
i also wouldn't associate stereotyping with prejudice...
Stereotyping is beneficial to us humans because it saves our brain 'computing' time when confronted with a situation. An example of that (not a good one) is when you are stepping onto an escalator, you see the escalator and you expect it to be moving... ever stepped on an escalator that isn't moving and u have that split second where your body has to adjust? that's the proof right there, your body has learned to adjust automatically to the motion of it, to save you the time of processing that the escalator is moving... now that's not a really good example because it becomes very deeply imbedded in your subconscious, but it sorta shows what i'm trying to say.
When you go into a wal-mart and you're looking for someone to help you you look for someone with a blue smock, because you've created a stereotype that tells you all people with blue smocks inside wal-mart are associates and can help you with whatever you need. Instead of asking other shoppers who can help you, or going up to everyone with a blue smock on to read their name tag to make sure they work for wal-mart your stereotype allows you to save that time and work more efficiently.
prejudice on the other hand would be 'all people with blue smocks in wal-mart are dumbasses with no education and should be paid less than they're making now, and i'm better than them because i'm going to school and i'm gonna make something of myself.'
that's a little more extreme, but ya... big difference between prejudice and stereotyping...
when answering a question like this you have to be VERY careful when you start substituting words for each other... because very quickly you just totally changed the question to suit your answer when you said stereotyping people = judging situations... that's definitely not the same thing
12-Oct-2006, 06:33 PM
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ooh... also i forgot to say... stereotyping is necessary for us to work/live efficiently, some people over do it which is when society views it as a problem, however without stereotypes we'd be in a whole lot of trouble...
12-Oct-2006, 06:38 PM
#4
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-nothing wrong with stereotyping as long as you do not completely judge.
for example, there is not a single black or brown person I know that would rather listen to Slipknot or Hatebreed instead of JayZ or Sisqo or whatever.
Do I assume all dark skinned people prefer hiphop to metal? no, I do assume most.
----
another example, virtually all airline ********* acts in north america all committed by people calling themselves Muslim.
Do I assume all Muslims are terrorists? no.
Do I assume most terrorists are Muslim? no.
Do I assume the next terrorists in an airport in North America will be of the Muslim faith? yes.
As long as everyone is treated like a citizen, not a criminal, it is understandable to be checked out more thoroughly.
My dad has been questioned by the RCMP over a bomb threat because of his background. Do I find that infuriating? no. I find it funny.
What is inexexcusable is to let people's feelings get in the way of being efficient, fair, and logical.
You can't assume people are criminals, stupid, smart, or anything based on any group they belong to, but I see no problem with making guesses and investigating them when important.
No idea if I'm answering your question, too much in one paragraph, but I believe I am adding.
If I see a black guy dressed like a gang banger, I'm going to assume he's no good.
If I see a white guy dressed like a biker, I'm going to assume he's no good.
At the same time, I have friends that can be put into those groups, and I know they're good people.
for example, there is not a single black or brown person I know that would rather listen to Slipknot or Hatebreed instead of JayZ or Sisqo or whatever.
Do I assume all dark skinned people prefer hiphop to metal? no, I do assume most.
----
another example, virtually all airline ********* acts in north america all committed by people calling themselves Muslim.
Do I assume all Muslims are terrorists? no.
Do I assume most terrorists are Muslim? no.
Do I assume the next terrorists in an airport in North America will be of the Muslim faith? yes.
As long as everyone is treated like a citizen, not a criminal, it is understandable to be checked out more thoroughly.
My dad has been questioned by the RCMP over a bomb threat because of his background. Do I find that infuriating? no. I find it funny.
What is inexexcusable is to let people's feelings get in the way of being efficient, fair, and logical.
You can't assume people are criminals, stupid, smart, or anything based on any group they belong to, but I see no problem with making guesses and investigating them when important.
No idea if I'm answering your question, too much in one paragraph, but I believe I am adding.
If I see a black guy dressed like a gang banger, I'm going to assume he's no good.
If I see a white guy dressed like a biker, I'm going to assume he's no good.
At the same time, I have friends that can be put into those groups, and I know they're good people.
12-Oct-2006, 06:39 PM
#5
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I see what your trying to say, but with regards to making decisions based on situations, you have a preconcieved notion, regardless if you admit it or not.
Think about the examples I provided. Im not talking about suddenly a car running a red light- what do you do- type if sutuation, but more or less a situation where you would feel insicure or in danger thtat involves some sort of human aspect to it.
such as walking down a dark alley- what do you assume will happen, you stereotype that the other guy you see in that alley will mug you
there is no difference, and only as individuals can we justify our own stereotyping or prejeduice, and no one can convince us otherwise based on their perspective. What I may think is wrong another person may think is ok, and how can I convice him otherwise without knowing exactly what made him have those beliefs
Think about the examples I provided. Im not talking about suddenly a car running a red light- what do you do- type if sutuation, but more or less a situation where you would feel insicure or in danger thtat involves some sort of human aspect to it.
such as walking down a dark alley- what do you assume will happen, you stereotype that the other guy you see in that alley will mug you
there is no difference, and only as individuals can we justify our own stereotyping or prejeduice, and no one can convince us otherwise based on their perspective. What I may think is wrong another person may think is ok, and how can I convice him otherwise without knowing exactly what made him have those beliefs
12-Oct-2006, 07:11 PM
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Originally posted by corcoran_chris
I see what your trying to say, but with regards to making decisions based on situations, you have a preconcieved notion, regardless if you admit it or not.
Think about the examples I provided. Im not talking about suddenly a car running a red light- what do you do- type if sutuation, but more or less a situation where you would feel insicure or in danger thtat involves some sort of human aspect to it.
such as walking down a dark alley- what do you assume will happen, you stereotype that the other guy you see in that alley will mug you
there is no difference, and only as individuals can we justify our own stereotyping or prejeduice, and no one can convince us otherwise based on their perspective. What I may think is wrong another person may think is ok, and how can I convice him otherwise without knowing exactly what made him have those beliefs
I see what your trying to say, but with regards to making decisions based on situations, you have a preconcieved notion, regardless if you admit it or not.
Think about the examples I provided. Im not talking about suddenly a car running a red light- what do you do- type if sutuation, but more or less a situation where you would feel insicure or in danger thtat involves some sort of human aspect to it.
such as walking down a dark alley- what do you assume will happen, you stereotype that the other guy you see in that alley will mug you
there is no difference, and only as individuals can we justify our own stereotyping or prejeduice, and no one can convince us otherwise based on their perspective. What I may think is wrong another person may think is ok, and how can I convice him otherwise without knowing exactly what made him have those beliefs
have you ever been beat/mugged up by someone wearing thug clothes? yet you probably walk a little quicker or hold your bag a bit tighter when you see that... that's stereotyping..
granted your past experiences will affect your stereotypes, but that's nothing notable, seeing as ALL of your behaviour, the culmination of who you are today is all a result of your past experiences.
and i fail to see how the 'good book' has anything to do with this?? like i said there is a big difference between judgement and stereotyping... you're using alot of words interchangably here...
what kinda class is this for?
12-Oct-2006, 07:12 PM
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Originally posted by SilverSiG
i see where you're trying to go with your answer, but it's not a very good one IMO...one hole that i could poke in it very easily is that when you say 'judgement of situations' that's a current ongoing process that happens when you're in a situation... where is a stereotype is a pre-concieved notion that you have BEFORE you get to the 'situation'.
i also wouldn't associate stereotyping with prejudice...
Stereotyping is beneficial to us humans because it saves our brain 'computing' time when confronted with a situation. An example of that (not a good one) is when you are stepping onto an escalator, you see the escalator and you expect it to be moving... ever stepped on an escalator that isn't moving and u have that split second where your body has to adjust? that's the proof right there, your body has learned to adjust automatically to the motion of it, to save you the time of processing that the escalator is moving... now that's not a really good example because it becomes very deeply imbedded in your subconscious, but it sorta shows what i'm trying to say.
When you go into a wal-mart and you're looking for someone to help you you look for someone with a blue smock, because you've created a stereotype that tells you all people with blue smocks inside wal-mart are associates and can help you with whatever you need. Instead of asking other shoppers who can help you, or going up to everyone with a blue smock on to read their name tag to make sure they work for wal-mart your stereotype allows you to save that time and work more efficiently.
prejudice on the other hand would be 'all people with blue smocks in wal-mart are dumbasses with no education and should be paid less than they're making now, and i'm better than them because i'm going to school and i'm gonna make something of myself.'
that's a little more extreme, but ya... big difference between prejudice and stereotyping...
when answering a question like this you have to be VERY careful when you start substituting words for each other... because very quickly you just totally changed the question to suit your answer when you said stereotyping people = judging situations... that's definitely not the same thing
i see where you're trying to go with your answer, but it's not a very good one IMO...one hole that i could poke in it very easily is that when you say 'judgement of situations' that's a current ongoing process that happens when you're in a situation... where is a stereotype is a pre-concieved notion that you have BEFORE you get to the 'situation'.
i also wouldn't associate stereotyping with prejudice...
Stereotyping is beneficial to us humans because it saves our brain 'computing' time when confronted with a situation. An example of that (not a good one) is when you are stepping onto an escalator, you see the escalator and you expect it to be moving... ever stepped on an escalator that isn't moving and u have that split second where your body has to adjust? that's the proof right there, your body has learned to adjust automatically to the motion of it, to save you the time of processing that the escalator is moving... now that's not a really good example because it becomes very deeply imbedded in your subconscious, but it sorta shows what i'm trying to say.
When you go into a wal-mart and you're looking for someone to help you you look for someone with a blue smock, because you've created a stereotype that tells you all people with blue smocks inside wal-mart are associates and can help you with whatever you need. Instead of asking other shoppers who can help you, or going up to everyone with a blue smock on to read their name tag to make sure they work for wal-mart your stereotype allows you to save that time and work more efficiently.
prejudice on the other hand would be 'all people with blue smocks in wal-mart are dumbasses with no education and should be paid less than they're making now, and i'm better than them because i'm going to school and i'm gonna make something of myself.'
that's a little more extreme, but ya... big difference between prejudice and stereotyping...
when answering a question like this you have to be VERY careful when you start substituting words for each other... because very quickly you just totally changed the question to suit your answer when you said stereotyping people = judging situations... that's definitely not the same thing
12-Oct-2006, 07:56 PM
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Re: Opinions needed : My responce to a stereotype/prejeduice question
Originally posted by corcoran_chris
Q:
Are there any potential benefits of stereotyping? If so, can prejudice or stereotyping ever be justified? Under what circumstances?
Q:
Are there any potential benefits of stereotyping? If so, can prejudice or stereotyping ever be justified? Under what circumstances?
as for the stereotyping, since we're talking about race/religious backgrounds..they're mostly right anyways
13-Oct-2006, 12:59 AM
#13
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Originally posted by Bruce Fee
-nothing wrong with stereotyping as long as you do not completely judge.
for example, there is not a single black or brown person I know that would rather listen to Slipknot or Hatebreed instead of JayZ or Sisqo or whatever.
Do I assume all dark skinned people prefer hiphop to metal? no, I do assume most.
.
-nothing wrong with stereotyping as long as you do not completely judge.
for example, there is not a single black or brown person I know that would rather listen to Slipknot or Hatebreed instead of JayZ or Sisqo or whatever.
Do I assume all dark skinned people prefer hiphop to metal? no, I do assume most.
.
13-Oct-2006, 09:50 AM
#15
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Location: scarborough
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SilverSleeper, look at any given metal concert, and look at any given rap/hiphop concert. Look at the last 500 of them, you will see a great deal less of brown/black people proportionately.
Look at all the kareoke bars in scarborough, and you will see a proportionately greater percent of chinese people in them.
everyone can be anything, but culture defines you in other people's eyes regardless of what you want.
I find it funny people might say "white people can't dance" and laugh but get offended when they hear "black people can't get office jobs"
We had one black guy in the office here, everyone else is something else. He had a criminal record in London and he was a rapper.
So much for stereotypes, eh?
I think stereotyping is assuming, but not relying on the assumption, and it isn't necessarily a bad stereotype, but prejudice would be judging, and in almost all cases be back.
not sure if I'm using the terminology correctly but two examples.
"He believes the stereotype that Sri Lankans like to wear shiny colourful shirts that no one else will wear."
"He is prejudiced against hiring people who wear baggy clothes, because he thinks they're probably potheads"
there is stupid political correctness, there is ignorance, there is reality. They're all different.
Look at all the kareoke bars in scarborough, and you will see a proportionately greater percent of chinese people in them.
everyone can be anything, but culture defines you in other people's eyes regardless of what you want.
I find it funny people might say "white people can't dance" and laugh but get offended when they hear "black people can't get office jobs"
We had one black guy in the office here, everyone else is something else. He had a criminal record in London and he was a rapper.
So much for stereotypes, eh?
I think stereotyping is assuming, but not relying on the assumption, and it isn't necessarily a bad stereotype, but prejudice would be judging, and in almost all cases be back.
not sure if I'm using the terminology correctly but two examples.
"He believes the stereotype that Sri Lankans like to wear shiny colourful shirts that no one else will wear."
"He is prejudiced against hiring people who wear baggy clothes, because he thinks they're probably potheads"
there is stupid political correctness, there is ignorance, there is reality. They're all different.
14-Oct-2006, 01:57 AM
#17
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ok, so I would probably sound racist if I described it here, but I find that certain types of people smell like certain things...
maybe it is what you eat...i don't know
so since I don't think that my kind has a scent....that being white people...that's what i is...like that new weird al song...
Please describe to me what white people stink like?
maybe it is what you eat...i don't know
so since I don't think that my kind has a scent....that being white people...that's what i is...like that new weird al song...
Please describe to me what white people stink like?
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