Stereotypes contribute to prejudiced thinking Research Paper

Stereotypes contribute to prejudiced thinking - Research Paper Example On the other hand, prejudiced thinking is defined by Stangor ( 2000, 22) as â€Å"thinking ill of others without enough warrant†. Ferguson (2004) averred that prejudice is an â€Å"attitude toward the members of some group based solely on their membership in that group (can be positive or negative).† Stereotypes are therefore generalized and confined according to distinct characteristics of persons or members of certain groups. As such, stereotyping distorts perceptions of people since once these traits are activated; those are the ones that come immediately to one’s mind – without justified warrant. As averred by Ferguson (2004) â€Å"prejudice often involves stereotypes, suggesting that all members of a group behave in certain ways and have certain characteristics.† I believe that stereotyping, whether positive or negative are both harmful in such as way that they become â€Å"self-confirming† (Ferguson, 2004), confining and distorting; and affect social judgments we have of others. As such, even positive stereotypes could have true characteristics not revealed to those who generalized them. Therefore, whatever relationships or interactions one has would be distorted due to stereotyping, eventually leading to prejudice (even positive or negative). The ability of stereotyping to give illusionary impacts makes them harmful despite their positive