The Cycle of Stereotypes
Cycle of Stereotypes
Self-awareness has the potential to interrupt
the cycle of stereotypes, which often plays out in four stages.
STAGE 1: Stereotypes describe
negative or positive oversimplified generalisations of people.
Stereotypes
STAGE 2: Prejudices describe negative attitudes
towards people who belong to a particular social group.
Stereotypes
Prejudices
STAGE 3: Discrimination describes behaviours
and actions which privilege or exclude a certain group.
Stereotypes
Prejudices
Discrimination
STAGE 4: Self-fulfilling prophecies describe situations where
prejudice and discrimination push a group to behave in a
way that confirms a stereotype.
Stereotypes
Prejudices
Discrimination
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecies
One example of the impact of this cycle:
Stage 1: members of a social group get
viewed as “They don't work hard.”
Stage 2: members of the group get judged
as “They are lazy.”
Stage 3: members of the group receive
fewer job offers.
Stage 4: members of the group
get discouraged trying to find jobs and
by that strengthen the stereotype.
Stereotypes
Prejudices
Discrimination
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecies
Stereotypes
Prejudices
Discrimination
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecies
The cycle of stereotypes is often part of our
daily lives without us noticing.
How can you act with awareness to help break the cycle?
Stereotypes
Prejudices
Discrimination
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecies
