The Stereotype
I think of prejudice as not only negative thoughts about something but just as our general view on a subject. Stereotypes are like expectations we have for a certain person. Look at a pirate. We expect a pirate to be savage, pillaging, unloving, and dirty. We expect a cat to be lazy, cunning, yet comforting. So how do we form stereotypes? When we stereotype something, we essentially represent the predetermined beliefs of a society. Many times our beliefs come from our prior experiences.
Our predetermined thoughts about a subject really control interaction. How we see or believe something will influence our actions. But how long should we keep our stereotypes? Should we break our stereotypes? Looking at the pirate, what happens when we see the man in a different way. How easily can we see a pirate as fearing other men, looking out for the safety of his captives (who are actually guests on his ship), as being somber after a victory, cooking meals for his crew in celebration instead of having a drunken celebration. Can our prejudices, the way we see things, be easily changed. And if we do see things in a different way, would it cause us to change our thoughts or would it just be as a passing form of entertainment?
Stereotypes can be very complicated, whether good or bad. When people differ, arguments often follow. However, arguments can be productive to help us understand someone else. Sometimes discrepancies indicate that a stereotype makes little sense or is unworthy of being followed. Most often, stereotypes are not useful tools in judging others; they just examine little aspects of a person's personality.
Tradition is what drives many people. When we examine our set view, it can either be good to keep that view, or it can be worthwhile to take on a new viewpoint.
[BAM
I think of prejudice as not only negative thoughts about something but just as our general view on a subject. Stereotypes are like expectations we have for a certain person. Look at a pirate. We expect a pirate to be savage, pillaging, unloving, and dirty. We expect a cat to be lazy, cunning, yet comforting. So how do we form stereotypes? When we stereotype something, we essentially represent the predetermined beliefs of a society. Many times our beliefs come from our prior experiences.
Our predetermined thoughts about a subject really control interaction. How we see or believe something will influence our actions. But how long should we keep our stereotypes? Should we break our stereotypes? Looking at the pirate, what happens when we see the man in a different way. How easily can we see a pirate as fearing other men, looking out for the safety of his captives (who are actually guests on his ship), as being somber after a victory, cooking meals for his crew in celebration instead of having a drunken celebration. Can our prejudices, the way we see things, be easily changed. And if we do see things in a different way, would it cause us to change our thoughts or would it just be as a passing form of entertainment?
Stereotypes can be very complicated, whether good or bad. When people differ, arguments often follow. However, arguments can be productive to help us understand someone else. Sometimes discrepancies indicate that a stereotype makes little sense or is unworthy of being followed. Most often, stereotypes are not useful tools in judging others; they just examine little aspects of a person's personality.
Tradition is what drives many people. When we examine our set view, it can either be good to keep that view, or it can be worthwhile to take on a new viewpoint.
[BAM
