VIP Class Notes (Li)[R]

Vocabulary

stereotype:  a fixed idea that people have about what specific social groups or individuals are like, especially an idea that is wrong.

eg. The characters in the book are just stereotypes.

eg. She would fit the popular stereotype of a mad scientist.

prejudice(n): an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge

eg. Laws against racial prejudice must be strictly enforced.

prejudice (v): someone or something that prejudices you influences you unfairly so that you form an unreasonable opinion about something

eg. His comments may have prejudiced the voters against her.

cliché: a saying or remark that is often made and is therefore not original and not interesting 

eg. Some comedies are a cliche.

perpetuate: to cause something to continue

eg. He perpetuates the myth that the house is haunted.

concrete: relating to or involving specific people, things or actions rather than general ideas or qualities

eg. concrete facts

reluctant: not willing or eager to do something

eg. I am reluctant to go to school on Monday.

into (as an expression): enthusiastic about or interested in

eg. People who are into computers are geeks.

scapegoat: a person whp is blamed for something that someone else has done

https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/reading_culture.php

A stereotype is a fixed idea that people have about what specific social groups or individuals are like, especially an idea that is wrong. Other terms that are associated with the term stereotype are prejudice and cliché. The term has a Greek origin: stereos means solid or firm and typos mean blow, impression, engraved or mark. The term was first used in the printing business. The first modern English use of the term was in 1850, meaning “image perpetuated without change.”

Because stereotypes are standardized and simplified ideas of groups, based on some prejudices, they are not derived from objective facts, but rather subjective and often unverifiable ideas. As Sociologist Charles E. Hurst states* “One reason for stereotypes is the lack of personal, concrete familiarity that individuals have with persons in other racial or ethnic groups. Lack of familiarity encourages the lumping together of unknown individuals”.