Question

Stereotypes, as we have come to understand, are assumptions that some individuals have about certain groups. Stereotypes can span across race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, and other areas. We have also come to understand that individuals within these different groups face stereotype threat, or the risk of people feeling they are conforming to the stereotypes that exist about their social group. In your initial discussion post for this unit consider the impact that stereotype threat can have on an individual and respond to the questions below: What influence might stereotype threat have on an individual? What might this influence in their life? Why? What would be the importance of having conversations across different social groups about how stereotype threat impacts them? Would a conversation of this nature be beneficial? Why or why not? What steps could be taken to change the influence that stereotype threats have within a cultural group?

Answer 1

What influence might stereotype threat have on an individual?

Stereotype is a hurdle in individual performance. They feel demotivated, disappointed and low confident morale. When the groups are divided, and one group called other group as stereotype which meant either for the people who are working just like that with no passion, no interest, no creativity or the people from other cast, religion or race. This hurts the sentiments of the individual and adversely affect their productivity and performance.

What might this influence in their life? Why?

If we criticize someone for something, that would create a negative effect and they by hearing the same again and again, will start believing it. They will have perceived in their mind that they are not capable of performing this job or just can’t do this. This will restrict their areas of performance. Their body will resist the change and their morale and confidence will be down

What would be the importance of having conversations across different social groups about how stereotype threat impacts them?

Open conversation about everything or anything has sorted many problems. These days if you see many popular professionals are in this profession of open conversation in which they discuss the real-life example and problems they came across. No matter how embarrassing or insulting it is, they will talk openly and discuss with all. We need to tell them stereotype is not just negative it can also be turned in to positive by performing much better than anyone else and become stereotype in positive category. They need to know the real impact this stereotype word can have on them or on others to whom they call stereotype. People from diversified background does have different specialization in any areas. These days organisation are keen to hire them as compare to individuals from single background. Diversified people adds innovation, creativity, skills and ultimately the sense of competition and enthusiasm among other team members that yes, we also want to perform this way. This needs to be shared with them and see how their performance may improve.

Would a conversation of this nature be beneficial? Why or why not?

Yes, it will beneficial for them. They will come to know their importance in society and the effect of criticism if they do on others. The more we communicate, the greater will be coordination efficiency and friendly atmosphere wherein all people come under one bracket and one religion. Discrimination on the part of caste, race or religion will be minimized. People will start performing and appreciating others for good work done rather criticizing or back bitching.

What steps could be taken to change the influence that stereotype threats have within a cultural group?

We need to turn the negative into positive. Positive stereotype who performs well as compare to others. Why to criticize those who doesn’t work up to the level rather appreciate the one performs better than others.

Every coin has two faces. We need to turn the face as according to the best alternative we may have. We need to motivate the employees from the different cultures and take their concern into notice and try to solve that.

Cultural hurdles may include the problems in understanding, language barriers, confidence levels, etc., we may make a team with the leader having the leadership skills to motivate and conduct the team work in better way. We should include the people from the different cultures in one team so that one single team forms number of people from different background so that no one forms the minority.

Organization assets are its individuals and therefore highly motivated individuals are the keys to success.