...Prejudice and stereotypic thinking among the elderly The term stereotype is often connected with ignorant beliefs such as “racism”, “homophobia”, and “sexism”. Despite the overtly negative connotation, stereotypes are simply expectations we hold about groups of people (Moskowitz, 2005, p.440). However, stereotyping can lead to prejudice. Although everyone stereotypes, some people are more prone to being prejudice than others, especially older individuals (Radvansky et al., 2010). It is widely held that the link between age and prejudice is attributed to the fact that older people grew up in a more prejudiced era, and their attitudes are a reflection of a less tolerant time. However, recent studies suggest otherwise. Inspired by Devine’s influential 1989 study showing that prejudice is caused by a failure to inhibit stereotypic thoughts, modern researchers theorize that a decline in inhibitory function causes older people to be more likely to make and maintain stereotypes. For years, the dominant belief was that prejudice is inevitable as long as stereotypes exist because it was thought that stereotypes are automatically applied to a social group (Devine, 1989). However, this theory does not explain why knowledge of a stereotype is not correlated with prejudice. A study conducted by Devine in 1989 resolved the discrepancy by proposing that while stereotypes are automatically activated, prejudice is due to a failure to inhibit stereotypic thoughts. In the first experiment...
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...Racism is a term that is often used to describe a variety of social, culture and economic problems, but has, unfortunately, acquired “so many contradictory meanings that it takes on the aura of a myth,” it has become increasingly difficult to define . Although the term wasn’t officially featured in the Larousse Dictionary until 1932, racism had been a dark cloud hanging over the global horizon for centuries (de Benoist, 1999). Whenever there are people of different cultural and social characteristics introduced into the mix, a recipe for racism and the hostilities it generates is created. Because racism defies a singular definition but is usually represented by the categorizing of people according to certain criteria, it can perhaps best be understood by discussing the issue itself in terms of such categories as the reasons for racism, its causes, why it continues, and how its meaning is ever-changing. It is widely accepted by sociologists that racism is essentially an ideology or belief system with its foundation cemented by three basic ideas. First, there is the fact that human beings can be divided naturally into different physical types (Vorster, 2002). For example, Africans are ‘typed’ by their dark skin color and by their curly hair; Asians are known for their ‘yellowish’ skin color, black hair and slanted eyes, etc. Often, solely on the basis of these physical traits, assumptions are automatically made that become “intrinsically related to their culture...
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...discrimination? How is discrimination different from prejudice and stereotyping? the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, age, or sex. The terms stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, and racism are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. But when discussing these terms from a sociological perspective, it is important to define them: stereotypes are oversimplified ideas about groups of people, prejudicerefers to thoughts and feelings about those groups, while discrimination refers to actions toward them. Racism is a type of prejudice that involves set beliefs about a specific racial group. stereotypes are oversimplified ideas about groups of people. Stereotypes can be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation—almost any characteristic. They may be positive (usually about one’s own group, such as when women suggest they are less likely to complain about physical pain) but are often negative (usually toward other groups, such as when members of a dominant racial group suggest that a subordinate racial group is stupid or lazy). In either case, the stereotype is a generalization that doesn’t take individual differences into account. stereotypes are rarely created; rather, they are recycled from subordinate groups that have assimilated into society and are reused to describe newly subordinate groups. For example, many stereotypes that are currently used to characterize black people...
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...inequality in the form of racism throughout the Canadian society. For instance, a few months ago, a black male was asked to leave the St. Laurent shopping centre by the mall securities as the position of his pants were viewed as not family-friendly but this type of fashion is normal for teenagers who are influenced by the hip-hop culture. As the man did not want to cause any trouble, he obeyed the securities but as he was escorted, the securities used unnecessary forces which caused scars and bruises to the individual. Furthermore, the black male was arrested and detained for 3 hours, then fined $65 by the Ottawa Police, and banned from the mall for 5 years. One witness stated that this was a case of racial profiling as she saw that the mall securities had no reason to assault the individual. Although many deny the existence of racism in the Canadian society, this type of inequality still largely exists. To further analyze this topic, articles written by various scholars on racial profiling in the criminal justice system and racism in the workplace in Canada will be compared and contrasted. Moreover, various sociological concepts learned from the class will be applied to explain racism. In addition, the Symbolic interactionist and Conflict perspectives will be compared and contrasted to have a better understanding of racism. Racism has been a long-standing problem that various individuals face in the Canadian society throughout the history. Particularly, racism has been an issue observed...
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...An analysis of the representations of Afro-Peruvians in national television Introduction Despite the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists in Peru, the establishment of racial ideologies have influenced the ways in which these minorities are located in society and the levels of discrimination and systematic exclusion that they have suffered through time. This discrimination has affected them at a social level, but also at an institutional level, since they have been systematically marginalized and denied of their basic human rights. Although racial and ethnic discrimination might be manifested in multiple ways, the current research proposal will focus on the Afro-Peruvian population , one of the groups that are most vulnerable to experience racism and discrimination, and that has been invisible both to society and to the Peruvian government for decades. Because of it, the proposal will analyze the ways in which this...
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...A Sociological Perspective on Racism and Wealth Disparities Amongst African-Americans and Caucasians Introduction The consequence of racial discrimination has a clear relationship with wealth amongst racial groups. In the last 50 years, although the high school completion rate gap between blacks and whites has narrowed, blacks still only have one-tenth of the wealth of whites and according to Economic Policy Institute blacks make 17.5% less an hour than their white counterparts3. In light of these data, I will use quantitative and qualitative analysis to illustrate both the existence of racial inequality as it pertains to wealth and identify its origins within a sociological context. History of racism and wealth disparities To understand the...
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...Crash. It is the perfect analogy of how we as a human race deal with life, people and our own experiences. Physical characteristics and racial differences may be interpreted as two distinguishing traits that separate us. I think it's what keeps us apart. That leaves several abstract questions that the film Crash illustrates. What are the origins of personal prejudice? Do individual experiences fuel standing stereotypes? Is it easier to perpetuate existing stereotypes because "things will never change?" Can people battle internal struggles within their own ethnic group? What prohibits us from overcoming these prejudices? The writers of the Crash managed to extend my viewing experience beyond the 90 minute film, thus forcing me to analyze my own prejudices and racial stereotypes towards others. I always thought that racism occurred as a result of a person's upbringing. If your parents were racist, there is a good chance that you will be a racist too. At first glance, Matt Dillon's character exhibits characteristics typical of this theory. Dillon exhibited a close bond with his father and later, we discover the roots of his racism. I naively assumed that Dillon was absorbing external cues from his father regarding his attitudes towards black people. It turns out that his father was not racist towards black people. It was Dillon who, in combination with his father's negative experiences and his own as a member of the LAPD, formed his own perceptions towards blacks. Another example...
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...University of Phoenix Material Multicultural Matrix and Analysis Worksheet Instructions: Part I: Select and identify six groups in the left-hand column. Complete the matrix. Part II: Write a summary. Part III: Format references consistent with APA guidelines. |Part I: Matrix |What is the group’s history in the United |What is the group’s population in the |What are some attitudes and customs |What is something you admire about | | |States? |United States? |people of this group may practice? |this group’s people, lifestyle, or | | | | | |society? | |African American |Antecedents of a tribe I belong to, |The population of the African American |Numerous of African American loves going |African Americans try to be the best | | |(African American) were bind and the |in the United states 12.5% |to church. Most African American is |person they could be when they are | | |African Americans were taken to North | |Baptist and has a lot of spirit. Women in|trying to reach their goal. Barak | | ...
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...Hennessey 1 David Hennessey Profesor Trump Writing 130 7 December 2015 Analysis of Racism in Montana 1948 Racism, a mental state that is derived from the divergence of groups, has impacted history through centuries, even in the contemporary world. Racism is a power that can decide the fate of a whole race, or the life of a person. In Montana 1948, Marie, an Indian girl, is a tragedy caused by racism of white people who show prejudice in different levels against Native Americans. Racism is a theme that the author clearly wants to present in his novel. In this paper I will explore racism and analyze its influence to the plot and characters of the novel. This novel shows how racism affects individual's behaviors. Among the three people who show racism—Wesley, Julian, Frank—-their prejudice influences the plot in different ways. Wesley's prejudice to Native is much like an inherent discrimination from a high-status person to a low-status person, which contains less malice compared to the other two characters. Wesley's racism actually does not have significant impact on advancing the plot; however, Julian's discrimination distorts his judgment to the abusive behaviors of his son, Frank. For his prejudice to Native Americans and preference to Frank, he weakens the severity of his son's crime and send his employee to release Frank from the basement of Wesley's house with violence. Last, Frank' racism is more like a contempt of Native Americans's social status and human...
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...Classism and Racism A Narrative Analysis of Paul Haggis’s Film: Crash By: Alexis Couillard Introduction: In 2004, Paul Haggis directed the Oscar winning film crash, a drama about race and class and its effects on those residing in Los Angeles, California. This film paints a vivid picture of the harsh reality that classism has and will always exist and it is intertwined with racism in this film and in our realities. This film promotes racial awareness which is a topic not typically seen on the big screen and it demands a close inspection. Haggis wanted us to understand each character and to see them as real flesh bleeding humans that make mistakes and aren’t perfect. We see different races involved in the film such as African American, Persian, Hispanic, white and several Asians. Each scene intertwines with the next and we find out that all the characters are connected in some way or another. This technique of the characters being connected keeps the viewers on their toes. The audience is not stuck on one story or scene for too long. An idea or event is presented from the perspective of one person or family, and then the same event is expanded on by another characters connection to that particular event. Different ethnic stereotypes and racial prejudices are presented within the film such as the so called “gangbanger” who has tattoos and is Hispanic, and the black man who steals cars Anthony aka “Ludacris”. The director delivers and promotes this awareness but...
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...of factors. The Indigenous population is often portrayed in ways that strengthen harmful stereotypes. However, there are also a variety of positive outlooks and portrayals expressing their strengths and achievements. These texts were studied in Year 8 English and can be demonstrated by the ‘Crow Country’ novel by Kate Constable, which allows for both historical and stereotyping enrichment that discusses the topic of justice. ‘Integration’ poem by Jack Davis stands for Indigenous culture embodiment...
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...when analyzing and critiquing any film. In 2004 Paul Haggis wrote and directed the award winning drama Crash about various intertwining experiences involving racial relations and the socioeconomic status levels of the diverse cast of characters. This film addresses how humans being deal with real life circumstances and addresses how racial stereotypes and prejudices impact our society by causing a separation of customs, ignoring human and civil rights, and demonstrating how racism can cause moral, cultural and economical suffering. This detailed essay will address the cinematic elements employed throughout the movie, and provide a critical analysis on the various components and techniques used to create this compelling and powerful film. Crash is a movie that involves several different stories and plots that all manage to somehow connect the characters to each other in a series of events that take place during two days in California. America’s ever-growing melting pot is distinctly represented in the film as the audience is introduced to a black LAPD detective, two black mischievous car thieves, a white district attorney and his prejudice wife, a white racist beat cop and his neophyte partner, a black Hollywood director and his wife, an irate Persian shop owner and his family, and a blue-collar Hispanic man and his young impressionable daughter. The characters unrelated yet intertwining stories was a very unique and effective technique used to tell this story in a provocative...
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...‘Is there anything that can be done to alleviate racism in our world?’ The issue of racism has for a long time been a severe matter at the forefront of society. Different racial groups have developed biases and prejudices against others and for many decades the consequences of this inexcusable charade of insensitivity have plagued the spheres we live in. Many scholars have questioned and hypothesized various means of eradicating racism in communities and many techniques and strategies have been devised. One such method is multiculturalism. This ideology is a derivative of the contact hypothesis, a concept developed by psychologist Gordon Allport, which theorizes that under appropriate conditions interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between majority and minority group members. If one has the opportunity to communicate with others, they are able to understand and appreciate different points of views involving their way of life. As a result of new appreciation and understanding, prejudice should diminish. Consequently, some policy makers and sociologists have surmised that by implementing this practice and creating “multicultural” communities, the severity of racism and racial prejudices could lessen or even be eradicated. For the most part, however, it seems that multiculturalism will do little or nothing to alleviate prejudice and discrimination. So we are left with the question: “Is racism permanent?” Are sociologists and policy makers enforcing...
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...Definition | Stereotypes | unreliable, exaggerated generalizationsabout all members of a group that donot take individual differences intoaccount | Prejudice | is most often used to refer to preconceived judgments toward people or a person because of race/ethnicity, gender, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality, nationality or other personal characteristics. It can also refer to unfounded beliefs and may include "any unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence. | Labeling theory | a sociological approach introducedby Howard Becker that attempts toexplain why certain people are viewedas deviants and others engaging in thesame behavior are not | Part II Select three of the identity categories below and name or describe at least 3 related stereotypes for each: * Race * Ethnicity * Religion * Gender * Sexual orientation * Age * Disability Category | Stereotype 1 | Stereotype 2 | Stereotype 3 | Race | All Afro American can play basketball | White cannot dance | All Hispanics can speak English | Religion | all Muslims are terrorists. | All Catholic Priests molest boys | Christians are brainwashed | Gender Male | Is to be the financial provider | He is also to be assertive, competitive, independent, courageous, and career-focused. | Hold his emotions in check; and always initiate sex. | Part III Answer each question in 100 to 150 words related to those stereotypes: * What...
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...University of Phoenix Material Multicultural Matrix and Analysis Worksheet Instructions: Part I: Select and identify six groups in the left-hand column. Complete the matrix. Part II: Write a summary. Part III: Format references consistent with APA guidelines. |Part I: Matrix |What is the group’s history in the United |What is the group’s population in the |What are some attitudes and customs |What is something you admire about | | |States? |United States? |people of this group may practice? |this group’s people, lifestyle, or | | | | | |society? | |Native American |There are many different Native American |There are over 30,000 Native Americans|Native Americans are typically patient.|I admire their fight to keep their | | |tribes and each one is unique. Some Native|living in 16 urban areas of the United|They live a very spiritual lifestyle. |history and legacy alive. So many | | |American history is taught in school. We |States, according to the Bureau of the|They are also group oriented |of their people have moved on with | | ...
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