We learned about how stereotypes occur as a natural process
In this week’s reading, we learned about how stereotypes occur as a natural process, but your text also stated “because prejudice and discrimination are so harmful to so many people, we must all work to get beyond them” (Saylor Academy, 2012, p. 38). Additionally, your text noted: “The influence of social norms is powerful, and long-lasting changes in beliefs about outgroups will occur only if they are supported by changes in social norms. Prejudice and discrimination thrive in environments in which they are perceived to be the norm, but they die when the existing social norms do not allow it. And because social norms are so important, the behavior of individuals can help create or reduce prejudice and discrimination. Discrimination, prejudice, and even hate crimes such as gay bashing will be more likely to continue if people do not respond to or confront them when they occur. What this means is that if you believe that prejudice is wrong, you must confront it when you see it happening” (Saylor Academy, 2012, p. 42). But saying something is not always easy. As I was working to come up with a good discussion topic for this week, it struck me that we had an opportunity to do some potential good by practicing how to confront prejudice. We will do this by using a modification of several exercises I found online (Lawson, n.d.).
Step 1: LEARN HOW TO RESPOND TO PREJUDICED COMMENTS
Read this article which describes Lawson’s original research study to help you better understand this exercise (http://www.
Step 2: PRACTICE EXAMPLE
Choose one of the scenarios below and respond in an appropriate way to the prejudiced comment. Also, explain why you have chosen to respond as you have.
Scenario 1 Background: Two women were hanging out after school and went to get coffee. They were discussing various topics, and the discussion turned to a sibling who is gay. Speaker: The student’s sister (college-aged) Responder: A female college student Comment: “I don’t know if I can hang out with Kate in public anymore, because I don’t want people to think that I am gay too.” Scenario 2 Background: Two males are talking while driving, and they see a homeless person on the sidewalk in front of a business. Speaker: Middle-aged male Responder: Male college student Comment: “Homeless people are worthless. Go get a job!” Scenario 3 Background: Conversation during a dinner date. Speaker: A male college student Responder: A female college student Comment: “I just want a wife who will cook me dinner and do my laundry.” Scenario 4 Background: They were discussing who should be hired for a job opening. Speaker: A middle-aged female store manager Responder: An employee Comment: “I don’t want to hire anyone who is Goth or wears too much black.” Scenario 5 Background: Conversation in the car while driving down the road behind an older driver. Speaker: Black male teenager Responder: Black male teenager Comment: “Old people are the worst drivers in the world! They need to have their license taken away.” Scenario 6 Background: While working at an ice cream store, the coworker commented when a heavier customer entered the store. Speaker: Male coworker Responder: A female college student Comment: “Geez! Like they need any more food, especially ice cream!” Scenario 7 Background: Two females are driving home from the mall and a car filled with Black people pulled up next to them at a red light. They start discussing the funny appearance of the car. Speaker: A female college student Responder: A female college student Comment: “Quiet, they may have heard us. I don’t want to get shot.” Scenario 8 Background: Walking through the mall, they see a group of Arabian men Speaker: A White female 19 years old Responder: A White female 19 years old Comment: “Be careful, one them probably has a bomb.”Step 3: PERSONAL EXAMPLE
Report a prejudiced comment that you overheard or observed. This can be something that happened recently or sometime in the past. I would prefer this be something you heard in real life or through social media, but can be from TV or movies if you can’t come up with a real life example. When you report on the comment, you need to include the following information:
Background: What was the situation you were in when the comment was made? Include whatever information you can to help explain the context for the comment. Speaker: Who was the person who made the comment? Do NOT use the speaker’s name, just provide a general description of the person (e.g., age group, race, gender, other relevant info). Responder: Also describe the person to whom the comments were made (it could be you or someone else). Comment: Include the prejudiced comment with as close to a direct quote as you can. Actual Response: How did the responder react to the prejudiced comment? Appropriate Response: Now that you’ve learned better ways to respond to prejudiced comments, what would have been a recommended response to this comment? Rationale: Explain why you have chosen to respond in this way.Make sure your posts includes the information below.
CHECKLIST:
Practice Example:
Description: Include the scenario (Background, Speaker, Responder, Comment)
Analysis: Include an Appropriate Response to the prejudiced comment.
Opinion: Explain why you have chosen to respond as you have, and back up your rationale with references to the classroom readings and any other references you’d like to include. Also, include any other personal opinions you would like to share about this situation.
Personal Example:
Description: Include the scenario (Background, Speaker, Responder, Comment)
Analysis: Include the Actual Response and your recommended Appropriate Response.
Opinion: Explain why you have chosen to respond as you have, and back up your rationale with references to the classroom readings and any other references you’d like to include. Also, include any other personal opinions you would like to share about this situation.
Classmate Responses: Make at least two “high level” responses to different classmates. Ideas for responding to classmates: you could include research-based information they did not include or provide significant suggestions to coach them in how they could improve on their responses.
Other: Name your post with a title that indicates the type of prejudice you’re dealing with in your personal example (creativity is encouraged). Make sure that your report uses your own words and includes proper APA-style reference citations in the text, as well as a complete APA-style reference list at the end of the report.
References:
Fisher, R., & Ury, W. (1983). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Glaser, T. (n.d.). Book summary of getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in.Retrieved from https://www.
Lawson, T. (n.d.). Prejudice log assignment. Retrieved from http://jfmueller.faculty.
Plous, S. (2000). Responding to overt displays of prejudice: A role-playing exercise.Teaching of Psychology, 27, 198-200.
Saylor Academy. (2012). Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. In Principles of social psychology. Retrieved from http://www.saylor.org/
General Weekly Discussion Instructions: Each discussion is open for one week. I encourage early submissions of your initial post to promote authentic and useful discussions during the week. In fact, everyone who submits their original posts by Friday at 11:59 pm will receive 2 extra credit points. All posts (initial and classmate responses) are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm.
Initial Post: Make sure that your initial post thoroughly addresses all parts of the discussion topic (partial responses will receive only partial credit). You should make sure you include sufficient detail to make your understanding of the concepts clear. Note that each discussion includes a “checklist” with the specific information you should make sure you include (description, analysis, and opinion). And you must always include a proper APA-style citation when referencing someone else’s ideas (although you should not rely on direct quotes in conferences). Note: it is never acceptable to copy and paste information from the internet (even with a reference); your discussion posts must be in your own words. You must post your initial discussion response before you will be able to view the posts of your classmates.
Answer preview We learned about how stereotypes occur as a natural process
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