Wow thank you very much ! I would be honored to have you use my essay as an example in future classes. Thank you again very much..
----- Original Message ---- Sent on: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:58 AM
Hi, Melissa,
Below is your graded Essay #2. Well done!
Jim-)
Melissa Stumptner
English 101 Online
Jim Roth
In the work “Don’t let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments” by Robert Heilbroner, he talks about how stereotypes cloud our perceptions of others. In this work the author describes “Stereotypes are a kind of gossip about the world, a gossip that makes us prejudge people before we ever lay eyes on them” (Heilbroner35). Heilbroner discusses the preconceived ideas people have of others based on their appearance, ethnicity and name. He believes stereotypes “…get in the way of our judgment, even when we do observe the world” (Heilbroner 35).
Melissa, since you identify the author Heilbroner at the beginning of the paragraph, you need only the page number in the parentheses.
Robert Heilbroner discusses how stereotypes of a certain group of people can change the opinion of others towards that group. He talks about the use of stereotypes and how “…stereotypes makes us mentally lazy” (Heilbroner 36). I agree with Heilbroner’s assessment that categorizing people starts at an early age and as adults many factors influence these prejudices, and once stereotypes are set they are difficult to ignore.
Heilbroner also states “In part, we begin to typecast people in our childhood years” (35). As children we watch the adults around us and mimic their actions. Being impressionable, the opinions of influential adults can affect the opinions we form. As a child, I remember being told that drugs were very bad and that the people who use them are looked down upon. I was advised that if I used drugs I would go to jail and not be able to find a job. The stereotype for me of drug users were people who smoked weed, did coke and the other hardcore drugs, they were “junkies”. At the time I was not aware that people abused prescription medications as well. The stereotype that drug users are junkies for me was definitely influenced by my mother as well as family.
As an adult life you have stereotypes you have formed and many factors can influence them. Heilbroner states “…as grown-ups we are constantly having them thrust upon us” (page number?) . The influence of peers, family, and media can change how we view or judge people. The media has a direct impact on how we as a society judge others. The concept that if something is on the news or in the newspaper, it must be correct can steer your judgment. Working in the medical field, I have seen the influence of the media on the public’s and medical personnel’s judgment. Take for instance all the local news coverage of the numerous pharmacies that have been burglarized for Oxycontin. The stereotypes of the people who use this medication as well as other pain medications are that they are people who are addicts who will do anything to get the medication. The actions of the select few have put a stigma on the rest who truly need it. The constant influence of others makes not paying attention to stereotypes difficult.
An excellent example in the above paragraph!
Robert Heilbroner states “Impoverishing as they are, stereotypes are not easy to get rid of” (36). When you have a preconceived idea of someone, it is hard to look past that to who they really are. If we began to see people as unique individuals and stopped making assumptions based on gossip, than then stereotypes may lapse. I believe an important step in getting rid of a stereotype is to recognize the stereotypes we have set. Being aware of the stereotypes that you have set can help you try to see past them.
Does the fact that a female has blonde hair mean that she has more fun? If he has a Turban on does that mean that he is cohorts with Bin Laden? These are some of the stereotypes that some people have. Can you really judge someone on the way they look or if they take certain medications? I do not believe so; I believe that as a whole our society can be too judgmental. If more time was spent on communication with each other perhaps there would not be as many stereotypes. This is definitely a task that cannot be accomplished over night but little changes add up. We can influence the future generations around us in a positive way.
MLA Citation:
Heilbroner, Robert. “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments”. National Relationships Review 22 August 2002: 34-37.
Melissa, this is an excellent Summary-and-Response essay! May I use it in future classes as an example? I can keep it anonymous if you like.
Well done!
Jim-) Grade 98/100
----- Original Message ---- Sent on: Sunday, February 22, 2009 12:39 PM
As an adult life you have stereotypes you have formed and many factors can influence them. Heilbroner states “…as grown-ups we are constantly having them thrust upon us”. The influence of peers, family, and media can change how we view or judge people. The media has a direct impact on how we as a society judge others. The concept that if something is on the news or in the newspaper, it must be correct can steer your judgment. Working in the medical field, I have seen the influence of the media on the public’s and medical personnel’s judgment. Take for instance all the local news coverage of the numerous pharmacies that have been burglarized for Oxycontin. The stereotypes of the people who use this medication as well as other pain medications are that they are people who are addicts who will do anything to get the medication. The actions of the select few have put a stigma on the rest who truly need it. The constant influence of others makes not paying attention to stereotypes difficult.
Robert Heilbroner states “Impoverishing as they are, stereotypes are not easy to get rid of” (36). When you have a preconceived idea of someone, it is hard to look past that to who they really are. If we began to see people as unique individuals and stopped making assumptions based on gossip, than stereotypes may lapse. I believe an important step in getting rid of a stereotype is to recognize the stereotypes we have set. Being aware of the stereotypes that you have set can help you try to see past them.