Stereotypes

More on Stereotypes
• Stereotypes are general ideas of a person, created without taking the whole person into account. When we stereotype a group of people, we depict all of the individuals within that group as having the same characteristics even though they are probably all very different.
Stereotypes
What is a stereotype?
• An idea or image about a certain group of people that is widely accepted by others, but is not always true. • With a partner, complete the phrases:
• Stereotypes can occur within different ethnic groups, social classes, religious groups and opposite sexes
– Lower class people are uneducated – Jewish people are good with money – Men are stronger than women
What can we do to reduce or eliminate stereotypes in our lives?
1.Focus on every person as an individual. 2.Remember that there are more differences within a group than between groups. 3.Recognize that we're all part of many groups, none of which can totally explain or define who we are. 4. Learn to look at things from the other person's point of view. 5. Be willing to learn more about the culture and background of people different from ourselves. 6. Take opportunities to teach people the truth about stereotypes when we hear them.
Stereotypes of other countries
• of stereotypes you have heard about each of these countries. • • • • France Japan Scotland Germany
With a partner, discuss these questions
• How do you think stereotypes affect the relationship between China and America? • Do you think it is important for people to get to know others as individuals and not just use stereotypes to judge people? Why or why not? • What can you do to help people stop using stereotypes to judge people?
Related Vocabulary
• assumption - Definition: An idea that is taken for granted but not necessarily proven. Example: “Everyday this week has been sunny, so I assume tomorrow will be too." • bias - Definition: Attitudes or behaviours based on stereotypes of people. Example: If we see someone dressed in dirty old clothes looking in a posh clothes shop we might assume they can not afford to buy anything from it.
More examples
More examples
American Stereotypes
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Americans are fat. Americans make a lot of money, so they are rich. Americans live in big houses. Every American has a car and knows how to drive. Americans love eating McDonald's and KFC. You can tell if someone is American by looking at them. 7. Americans are free do whatever they want. 8. All Americans have guns, so there is more crime. 9. Americans like war. 10. All Americans are very open.
Can you tell the difference between national symbols and stereotypes?
In the next few slides you will see some pictures related to the countries which we just talked about. Which pictures are stereotypes and which pictures are national symbols?
Why do stereotypes occur?
• Stereotypes arise as a way of explaining or justifying differences between groups • They occur because of lack of exposure to other groups, cultures, etc. • Some stereotypes are shown on television, books, school textbooks, and advertising.
Chinese stereotypes
1. All Chinese people are short. 2. All Chinese people are good at maths and science. 3. Chinese people eat rice and noodles everyday. 4. Chinese people live with their parents all their lives. 5. Teenage Chinese girls love listening to Justin Bieber. 6. All Chinese people know how to grow rice. 7. All Chinese people are Kung fu masters. 8. Every Chinese person owns a bicycle. 9. All Chinese people have poor vision. 10. Chinese people are extremely competitive.
– – – – – – Men are … Women … Beijing people are … Shanghai people are … People in Guangdong … Girls from Chongqing are …
More on Stereotypes
• People often use labels or categories to describe others, these labels can be based on such characteristics as clothing, looks, the way a person talks, or the groups to which he or she belongs. People often make assumptions about groups of people they don’t even know. • When we make assumptions about an entire group of people, those assumptions are referred to as stereotypes. When assumptions and stereotypes influence our attitudes, we may find that making a fair judgement about someone or something is difficult. This influence on judgement is called a “bias.”
Are these stereotypes?
• • • • • • • • • • Japanese women are gentle. Americans are very independent. Chinese people use chopsticks to eat. Girls are emotional. Boys are good at sports. China is a communist country. French people love food. Chinese people are good at memorizing things. India has many people. The people in India are poor and dirty.
Examples of Stereotypes
• Examples
– All Americans have guns. – Black people are the best athletes. – Chinese people always eat rice.
Other examples of stereotypes
With a partner, discuss these questions
• How did these stereotypes make you feel? (Did any of them make you laugh, surprised, angry? Why?) • Stereotypes can be positive or negative which of these do you think were positive, and which were negative?