Title: Understanding Stereotypes - Science NetLinks
Headings: Understanding Stereotypes
Understanding Stereotypes
Purpose
Context
Motivation
Development
Assessment
Extensions

Content: The truth about stereotypes,” Psychology Today, May/June 98.) In this lesson, students will confront age-related stereotypes, explore how stereotyping impacts their lives, and discuss how they can make changes to reduce overgeneralizations, unfair assumptions, and uncritical judgments about groups. Motivation
The purpose of this section of the lesson is to get students thinking about common stereotypes; in this case, stereotypes associated with “teenagers” and the “elderly.” Ask students to brainstorm adjectives/phrases associated with being “elderly” and being a “teenager,” based on how they feel the two groups are perceived in society. Depending on the size of the class, you could facilitate a whole-group discussion, or break the class into two or more smaller groups, having them discuss and record responses associated with each category of people. ( For example, elderly are out of touch, are irritable, slow moving, and forgetful; teenagers are hooligans, are self-centered, and narcissistic.) Tell students that categorizing/grouping people is a common, natural thing to do; people have a fundamental need to belong to a group because it gives a sense of order, direction, and connection to others.