Is stereotyping inevitable?

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Please refer to attached file response, which includes two relevant documents as well. I hope this helps and take care.

UPDATED RESPONSE: DECEMBER 28, 2008.

RESPONSE:

1.Is stereotyping inevitable? Focusing on research and theory, discuss how people use and maintain stereotypes, and how stereotypes can be changed. Can you please explain how this should be set out, in order that the essay flows, I only have a 1500 word limit, so I need to be precise. I seem to waffle a lot!

Let's look at the basic format of a paper and possible information to include in the various sections.

I. Introduction

First Paragraph (about ½ page) Begin with an interesting statement about your topic. Then provide two or three research findings (i.e., the format will be something to the effect... Gilbert and Hixin (1991) found... In support of these findings, another author (name and date) reported that.... Contrary to this, so and so (1999) found....). This paragraph ends with a thesis statement such as...

Although everyone is prone to using stereotypes, stereotyping is not inevitable (see Gilbert and Hixon, 1991)

Stereotypes (or "characterizations") are generalizations or assumptions that people make about the characteristics of all members of a group, based on an image (often wrong) about what people in that group are like. For example, one study of stereotypes revealed that Americans are generally considered to be friendly, generous, and tolerant, but also arrogant, impatient, and domineering. Asians, on the other hand, are expected to be shrewd and alert, but reserved. Clearly, not all Americans are friendly and generous; and not all Asians are reserved. But according to this study, others commonly perceive them this way. (Breslin, J. William. 1991. "Breaking Away from Subtle Biases" in Negotiation Theory and Practice, eds. J. William Breslin and Jeffrey Rubin (Cambridge, Mass., U.S.: Program on Negotiation Books, 1991), 247-250).

Although everyone is prone to using stereotypes, stereotyping is not inevitable (Gilbert and Hixon, 1991)

II. Stereotypes (About 4 pages)

A. How are Stereotypes are used?

In this section, you will first provide information of how stereotypes are used and, next, how they are maintained. You may want to use subheadings for organization, providing research and theory to explain what has been found in each area. It is up to you how you want to arrange this section (i.e., first theory and then empirical evidence or mixed together). I prefer presenting a theory (if there is one) and then empirical evidence supporting or refuting the theory and then another theory and the supporting or refuting evidence, etc. You will have to judge how much information and information to draw from as you begin to write as 3 pages or so is all you have to work with. Remember when reporting findings--first state what the authors find and then what they conclude about the findings. Occasionally, describe a study in full if room prevails. It makes for a more interesting paper.

For example, it could be written something to the effect....

Stereotypes are used as mental shortcuts to quickly interpret the world and behaviors of others. ...