Stereotypes and Individual Differences
Recognise stereotypes — oversimplified beliefs about groups of people based on gender, race, age, or other characteristics — and understand that stereotypes are unfair because they ignore individual differences
What a learner can do afterwards
- Define what a stereotype is in their own words
- Identify a common stereotype and explain why it is inaccurate
- Challenge a stereotype they encounter by giving a counter-example
The lesson
A stereotype is an idea that says a whole group of people are all the same. It might be about gender, age, race, or where someone is from. Stereotypes are unfair because they skip over the fact that every person is different.
Someone might say, 'Boys don't cry.' That is a stereotype. Plenty of boys cry when they are sad, hurt, or scared, just like anyone else. Feelings do not depend on being a boy or a girl.
When you hear a stereotype, look for a counter-example: a real person who breaks the rule. One example is enough to show the stereotype is not true for everyone.
Stereotypes lump people together, but every person is an individual, so look for the exception that proves the stereotype wrong.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.