Discussion

What is a stereotype of a real woman in our country? What other stereotypes about behavior, tastes, ways of dressing, hobbies of men and women are there in our society? Discuss these aspects of stereotyping in pairs, if possible.

Text 2. Stereotypes:

What They Are and How They Operate.

Stereotypes are cognitive frameworks consisting of knowledge and beliefs about specific social groups. Stereotypes involve generalizations about the typical or “modal” characteristics of members of various social groups. In other words, they suggest that all members of such groups possess certain traits, at least to a degree. Once a stereotype is activated , these traits come readily to mind.

Stereotypes lead persons holding them to pay attention to specific types of information – usually information consistent with the stereotypes. And when information is inconsistent with stereotypes it may be actively refuted or even simply denied. In sum, stereotypes exert powerful effects on our thinking about others.

Stereotypes operate as labor-saving device. When activated, stereotypes allow us to make quick-and-dirty judgments about others without engaging in complex, and more effortful, thought. Of course, the conclusions we reach on the basis of stereotypes are often wrong; but the saving of effort is so great that we tend to rely on stereotypes in many different contexts.

Stereotypes are closely related to prejudice. Once an individual has acquired a stereotype about some social group, she or he tends to notice information that fits readily into this framework. Stereotypes are activated quite readily in most social situations.

Are there any ways to reduce the harmful effect of stereotyping? First, the impact of stereotypes can be reduced if individuals are encouraged to think carefully about others – to pay attention to their unique characteristics rather than to their membership in various groups. Second, and more surprising, the impact of stereotypes can sometimes be reduced by techniques based on principle of attribution. How do such procedures work? Several are based on the fact that often we make inferences about others on the basis of their outcomes, while ignoring factors that might have produced these outcomes. For example, suppose that you learn that a stranger scored 70 on a certain exam and that 65 was passing. Thus, the outcome is “Passed”. In contrast, suppose that you learnt that 75 was passing and the person scored 70; here the outcome is “Failed”. If you were asked to rate this person’s intelligence or motivation, the chances are good that you would assign higher ratings in the first instance than in the second, despite the fact the stranger’s performance is identical in both cases. This illustrates our strong tendency to base inferences about others on their outcomes.

EXERCISE 1.

Match the words with their definitions:

stereotype framework generalization to activate consistent to refute device judgment to attribute inference

a belief or opinion you have, based on information that you already know; to make something start working; a statement that may be true in most situations, but is not true all of the time; an idea of what a particular type of person is like that many people have, and that is wrong or unfair; a way of achieving a particular purpose; a set of rules, beliefs, knowledge etc. that people use when making a decision or planning something; prove that a statement or idea is not correct or fair; an opinion that you form after thinking about something; to say that someone or something is responsible for something.

EXERCISE 2.

Find sentences with the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian.

cognitive frameworks, generalizations, at least to a degree, consistent with, exert powerful effect, labor-saving device, to make quick-and-dirty judgments, effortful thought, saving of effort, fit into the framework, principle of attribution.

EXERCISE 3.

Give the antonyms to the following words:

consistent -

possess -

powerful -

effortless -

wrong -

carefully -

EXERCISE 4.

Label each sentence true or false according to the text:

• Stereotypes are typical “modal “ social groups.

• Once a stereotype is activated it leads persons to paying attention to the specific information consistent with the stereotypes.

• Even if the information is inconsistent with the stereotype people are likely to believe it.

• Stereotypes are powerful mechanisms of thinking about others.

• Stereotypes are used to make quick judgments. It saves time and efforts.

• The tendency to rely on stereotypes is strong though the conclusions based on them are usually wrong.

• Awareness of the tricky influence of stereotypes enables people to reduce the negative effect of it.

EXERCISE 5.

Combine the two parts of the sentences:

When information is inconsistent with stereotypes Once an individual has acquired a stereotype about some social group ….. Once a stereotype is activated ……. The conclusions we reach on the basis of stereotypes Stereotypes are closely related to ……. Stereotypes suggest that all members of such groups There is a strong tendency to base inferences about others

a) she or he tends to notice information that fits readily into this framework b) on their outcomes. c) these traits come readily to mind. d) are often wrong. e) prejudice. g) possess certain traits. h) it may be actively refuted or even simply denied.

EXERCISE 6.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do stereotypes play an important role in our social life?

2. How would you define the notion “stereotype”?

3. How does stereotype influence our thinking?

4. Why are they difficult to change?

5. Is stereotype good or bad?

6. What is positive and negative about them?