My Stereotype Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

My Stereotype Behavior - Essay Example Stereotypes are not only the source of long term suffering for others but they are also the victims themselves. Their past experiences enable them to acquire this typical behavior of discrimination and presumptions about other genders, races, and individuals. Stereotyping reduces the concentration span of the victim and he feels anxiety with distorting feelings. This is also referred to as cognitive threat, which reduces the intelligence level of a person due to the biased attitude of others ( Leary, 2005,p.283). I have been a subject of stereotype behavior several times. These incidences are very common but they leave an everlasting mark in one’s life. In high school, I had friends with different nationalities. One of them was an Asian whom I was quite close and liked to spend more time with. Once he invited me for a group study at his house which I accepted without bothering to think twice, how his family would respond to a person with a different racial identity. I went the re and met my friend’s mother at the door; she smiled and welcomed me in. We studied for a while and lost track of time, it was time for dinner and he was uneasy and wanted to wind up. I stood and wanted to leave but his mother asked me to join them for dinner. I did as I was asked; just wanted to be polite; as not to decline their hospitality. As soon as I joined them I felt I made everybody uneasy including my friend, his father said grace and didn’t talk at all. I ate quietly and didn’t know how to flee away. They all talked in their native language and I was unaware of their conversation. I felt really awkward when finally his younger brother told me that they don’t like people from other races, as they are usually illicit and have no place in a respected family. I excused myself and quickly departed from there, as I could no longer maintain my composure and felt entirely bitter about how they made me feel vulnerable and worthless. The feeling still l ingers on, when I am invited to a dinner at someone’s house as I cannot seem to forget the incident which made me feel insignificant and flawed. People judge without even knowing individuals, keeping in the garden their ethnicity. These types of presumptions not only make others negative about the different communities but it extends the trend of stereotyping to a great extent. Skin color, gender, religious beliefs, ethnicity, skills, and distinct qualities are reasons which incline people towards stereotyping. However, in my scenario, the presumption made it easier for them to judge me without even knowing me for all. It only shows the limited understanding of human psychology one has or is developed in him. This also shows the well knitted believes in a specific community about others.