Racial Stereotypes Impact on People

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Thesis Statement
Effects of Racial Stereotypes
Academic Performance
Unclear Attributes
Unrealistic Targets
Other Harmful Effects
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Stereotypes are thoughts that are adopted by people pertaining to specific ways of undertaking things. Stereotypes are the most profound behaviors of inter-group attitudes. They represent the most common of all prejudicial reactions. The people who stereotype show the views they hold about the group that is being stereotyped. The former group ascribes certain characteristics to the latter that are seen through an emotional response.

Prejudicial reactions can be developed into negative reactions that result in discrimination. In most cases, the reasons behind the attributes that people ascribe to groups are unknown. Two types of stereotypes that are common are ethnic and racial stereotypes.

Exaggerated mental images held by a particular group of people over all members of a certain racial group are referred to as racial stereotypes. This type of stereotype does not give due consideration to the differences that may exist among the different members of the stereotyped racial group. People disregard any type of information that deviates from what they hold as automatic and collective behavior of the racial group.

Surprisingly, racism which is negative stereotyping is spread by the media in our everyday lives albeit subconsciously. The effect of negative racial stereotypes cuts across all societies and unconsciously affects people’s attitudes and behavior. It is, however, important to note that the media also fosters better social relationships as people who hold open ideas are given a chance to be heard.

Thesis Statement

Whether the stereotype is positive or negative, there is a general agreement that it has a great effect on the group it is aimed for. There are questions that are still under research on whether stereotypes are imposed on others, the size of the impact that the stereotype has on people, and the role of the media.

Further studies analyze the role of racism in the modern culture that is very dynamic. This paper seeks to asses the effects of racial stereotypes on people putting into consideration its nature whether it is negative or positive.

Effects of Racial Stereotypes

Most of the effects of stereotypes stem from how they are developed. This happens, as a natural human characteristic that people make things that seem complex to become simple by putting them into categories. The media, parents, and peers are the main agents who implant these social patterns.

This creates a form of a tendency to stick tags to different racial groups as good, bad, inferior, or superior. This propensity increases as people grow from childhood to adulthood through puberty.

Reduced contact between a person and the stereotyped racial group tends to cement the negative notion one holds about the group (Graham 53). This notion becomes clearer if the first members from the stereotyped racial group give impressions of confirming the ascribed behavior.

What could be learned through exchange programs between the individual and the stereotyped racial group to appreciate the differences is reduced once the fears generate a barrier that demonstrates that great disparities exist.

Academic Performance

The negative stereotypes directed at the African-Americans are said to affect their academic performance. A survey conducted shows that the African-American students who were exposed to racism performed poorly in mathematics on average than white students. The students who understand the stereotype that Black students do not do well in school end up failing to excel academically.

The impact of this is so viral that it touches even the groups that hold the views in addition to those who even think about them. These groups of people tend to flow towards the stream by acting in manners that the stereotype. This is despite the fact they may not believe in the stereotype and neither do they belong to the group that abhors the notion. Membership into the group is not pegged on the fact that one must believe in the stereotype.

People who aver this ideology draw examples from situations that young children who often interact with mature people are more likely to behave maturely compared to those who spent their time with young people such as the house help.

This idea is one that leaves many gaps with questions that need answers. Facts exist where practically white students do not necessarily have to be clever than black students and especially in mathematics. It is clear knowledge that brightness versus foolishness is brought about by other factors (Lowery 37). The first among them is genetics. Brightness and stupidity can be inherited and passed over to generations.

The other cause is the environment. It becomes very difficult to plant a seed that is viable in a field that is either infertile or one that lacks water. A good learning environment increases the chances of a student performing well.

Another stereotype is the belief that Africans are likely to excel as athletes more than other races. Such a stereotype cannot stand the test of water. One of the reasons that they may excel in this area is because of their topography. Some of these areas are very hilly and need endurance for normal activities such as schooling and trading to take place. Stereotypes may be good or bad, but in the end, they have particular impacts.

Unclear Attributes

People who belong to the stereotyped group feel uneasy as they find it difficult to know the reasons leading to the other people characterizing them in a specific way. Most of the attributes are negative and as such the members of the group feel inferior (Grabmeier 73). This could be associated with laziness or incompetence. However, positive stereotype could still be interpreted to mean sympathy or lies.

If any African football team plays against any team and the match officiated by an official from South America, the result of the match would be easily acceptable to the African fans. This is because of the stereotype that South America has close links with Africa and an official from such a region would either be fair or favor the African team.

The responses from the above stereotype show a lack of self-esteem and confidence from members of the stereotyped group. Confidence in one’s ability helps him, or she understands the difference in the capacities of people.

Unrealistic Targets

Stereotypes can develop tensions among the members of the stereotyped race. This creates an environment that makes these members set targets some of which cannot be achieved. Any performance below what was expected is considered an unreasonable and therefore, a failure.

Such events may cause permanent effect and as such, change the course of people’s life. In some extreme actions, people may commit suicide or take to drug and substance abuse if proper mental counseling is not done.

Other Harmful Effects

There is a consensus from most academic scholars in various fields that not all racial stereotypes are negative. However, most of them are and do not put into account the rich and diverse human differences. Failure to appreciate this diversity has the effect of developing a feeling of being devalued, limited in capacity, and it is very demeaning (Jarvis 23). Others feel pained at heart that they lose self-esteem and tend to withdraw from the masses.

Conclusion

Racial stereotypes are real and exist among all human races. Appreciation of this will be a big step towards reaching a unanimous conclusion. Culture is diverse and dynamic. It carries people’s beliefs; knowledge of this will offer alternative ideas about the rich society of humanity.

If this is taught to people from the school going age and then taken up by the media, diversity will be appreciated. The impact of the media in educating the masses cannot be wished away. Media personalities must take a leading role in demystifying the stereotypes by covering alternative information that is factual.

The most important role that the media can undertake is to expose various cultures to the people who access their outlets. The church and other religious groups must also widen diversity by holding open discussions on the issues about racism.

International sporting bodies such as FIFA, IAAF, The Olympics Committee, and International Cricket Council have a chance to use their huge following to spread and make the issues that are factual to engage people on the topic. If the above recommendations among others are implemented, then the negative effects of racial stereotypes will be history and the differing scholars will have to agree on the matter.

Works Cited

Grabmeier, Jeff. Racial stereotypes hurt academic performance. Ohio: Columbus University press, 2001.Print.

Graham, Sandra. Racial stereotypes can be unconscious but reversible. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.

Jarvis, Blair. Experimental psychology. Ohio: Columbus University press, 2001.Print.

Lowery, Brian. Priming Unconscious Racial Stereotypes about Adolescent Offenders. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.

Click Here To Order Now!