1. Running head: STEREOTYPES WE 1
Stereotypes We Encounter and Their Negative Effects
Sharon Cook
PHI103: Informal Logic
Instructor: Jill Murray
September 17, 2012

2. STEREOTYPES WE 2
Stereotypes We Encounter and Their Negative Effects
As defined in the Oxford dictionary a stereotype is, "a fixed idea or image that many
people have of a particular type of person or thing but which is often not true in reality"
(Stereotyping, 2012). People come from many different places with different beliefs and morals.
In addition, each individual has his or her own uniqueness in color, race, ethnicity, height,
weight, and personality. A study made by Michael Inzlicht shows that when people are being
stereotyped they perform poorer than they would have they not been stereotyped (Kemick, A.,
2010). Stereotyping has a long-lasting negative effect on both the person stereotyping as well as
the one being stereotyped.
In my own personal life, I come across many stereotypes each day. One that I can
remember from when I was a little girl is "women belong in the kitchen". This was taught to me
at a very young age. I was raised in a family that had strong beliefs about men being superior
and women being more like servants than they were wives. My brother never had to do dishes or
any form of household chores when we were growing up. Although, I never had to take out the
garbage or do yard work. Learning this at such a young age has made me always feel less than
or not good enough.
I strongly disagree with this stereotype and have lived my life to make sure I never fell
into that category again. Women can do anything they set their mind to even if it is "a man's
job". I have lived my life feeling as if I have to prove myself and stand on my own without any
help from anyone especially men. This also has had an impact on my older brother. He is
dependent on a woman to cook, clean, and take care of him in all ways other than financially. It
is very sad for me to watch and happy that it is not me following in our families footsteps.

3. STEREOTYPES WE 3
Being born a female and growing into a woman is something that I never asked for but
am grateful to have experienced. It saddens me that people are so cruel and judgmental of others
and even more so that I am guilty of this behavior as well. In the studies performed by Michael
Inzlicht, the women who felt discriminated against ate more than their peers did in the control
group. They showed more hostility than the control group. And they performed more poorly on
tests that measured their cognitive skills (Kemick, A., 2010).
The next stereotype I have been both the one stereotyping and the one being stereotyped.
All drug addicts are dirty, poor, untrusting, thieves, and worthless. I was in my past extremely
judgmental and hurt many other people. I have called people names and made them leave my
home for drugs and /or alcohol. I at that time did not understand and simply passed judgment
without any real knowledge of the circumstances. This caused me to feel like a horrible person.
Its effects on me were negative and when I saw those people again or the topic came up I became
defensive.
Later in my life, I became a drug addict and criminal and now live my life in a category
that I myself once passed judgment on. I recently moved into a new house and it took me over
six months and a number of denials before I was able to move. This is because most people see
my criminal history along with bad credit and they put me in that category. Looking in
someone's eyes and seeing them look at you like I once looked at other's is something I dread
every single time I have to apply for anything. The mistakes I have made do not define me as a
person. Although, because of those mistakes I have become the person I am today.
Stereotypes generalize people into groups like rich, poor, male, female, race, age, addicts,
criminals, and so on. These false generalizations can cause long-term damaging stereotypes that
are made on a few examples (Mosser, K., 2011). I am living proof of this and I am sure many

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others are too. It does not feel good to judge or to be judged. Since I was put in to the shoes of those, I
have judged I no longer am a judgmental person. I have learned a hard life lesson but am also grateful for
it because I feel it has made me a better person. Drawing broad and very general conclusions based on
insufficient evidence can lead to harmful results, not only for the victim of the stereotype but also for the
person doing the stereotyping (Mosser, K., 2011).
Here is a stereotype that is on a not so negative scale, "women like to shop". I love to shop and I
am sure many of woman love it also. The stereotype here speaks the truth but not the truth in its entirety.
Sure women like to shop but not all women. Many men like to shop as well. My grandmother and aunt
were shopaholics and rubbed off on me. My mother on the other hand, hates shopping, and my brother
loves it. So where does the stereotype really hold water? I will always love shopping and I do not think it
is just because I am female but because I love to shop.
In conclusion, stereotypes are biased, judgmental, and cause long-term negative effects on people.
Judging people before they even have the opportunity to make a first impression is just not fair.
Prejudging people has lasting effects on them that can follow them throughout their lives. Even little
things kids hear from their parents like "bad boy" or "stop acting stupid" are stereotypes that will cause a
child to have low self-esteem and self worth. Think next time before you form an opinion or put someone
in a category because stereotyping does have a long-lasting effect on both the person stereotyping
as well as the one being stereotyped.

5. STEREOTYPES WE 5
References
Kemick, A. (2010, April 12). Stereotyping Has Lasting Negative Impact. Retrieved September
17, 2012,from National Science Foundation website:
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/08/12/stereotyping-has-lasting-negative-
impact
Mosser, K. (2011). An introduction to logic. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
(https://content.ashford.edu)
Stereotyping. Anti Essays. Retrieved September 17, 2012, from the World Wide Web:
http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/137457.html