Stereotypes And Misconceptions

1543 Words4 Pages

If all stereotypes and misconceptions were 100% true, the world would be inside of a predictable cringeworthy movie. Stereotypes are simply formed by faulty reasoning towards a group. They are generally used to categorize a group of people into something easy for others to label or name. Even though they come from some truth, they are typically exaggerated and the group may no longer act the certain way that they are stereotyped. Misconceptions are different, however, because they are not true at all and are brought upon by pure assumption and have no basis. There is a variety of stereotypes and misconceptions about millions of groups, such as people who wear glasses. They are painted out to be the epiphany of a “nerd” which means they are …show more content…

There are countless quotes that warn one not to label or judge anyone before getting to know them. It is common to do so and stereotype an individual upon first glance. However, it is uncommon to go past those assumptions and get a deeper insight in the individual’s true personality. The overall concept of a misconception is a view or opinion based on an untruth. Misconceptions have no basis or background evidence to support the claim, they are simply an assumption. Misconceptions can include assumptions made by individuals who have heard rumored beliefs but have no actual evidence to back them up, and assumptions made on a group simply because of appearance or misinterpretations. Even though it is assumed that misconceptions are bad, they are not all negative. Similar to the concept of misconceptions is being prejudice or being discriminating. Prejudice is the attitude towards an individual but not necessarily taking according to the attitude while discrimination is indeed the behaviors towards an individual based on beliefs or assumptions. These similar concepts all lead up to misunderstandings of an individual or group and the way they …show more content…

I know all too well the many typical stereotypes and misconceptions aimed at those who wear glasses. Remarks such as, “Oh, she wears glasses so she must be smart, let’s go to her group.” have been thrown at me, believe it or not. Whether it had to do with the fact that I was actually doing the work I was required to do or my enthusiasm to participate in class, on top of the fact that I had glasses sitting on the bridge of my nose, that I qualified to be categorized as a “nerd.” However, even though it is thought that people with glasses are in the honors program and excel in math, not at all of the people I have encountered are this way. According to globaleyesightnow.org, “6 out of 10 people in the developed world wear glasses, contact lenses, or have had corrective eye surgery.” The logic behind this is that not everyone who wears glasses that one encounters is the ¨sharpest tool in the shed.” Even though I have had encounters with many of those stereotypical, academic obsessed students who wear glasses, they do not fully fit the molding of a “nerd.” Another aspect that makes me believe the “using glasses makes you look smarter” card works is because during mock interview, all students are told to ditch their contacts for that day in order to impress their interviewer and give off the “smart” vibes that make

More about Stereotypes And Misconceptions

Open Document