Stereotype Stigmas and the Viscous Cycle

What is stereotype threat or stigma and why is it important? 

  

Stereotype stigma is when someone is unfairly given a label, that typically is a limiting one, due to their identity. These identities may include descriptions such race, religion, gender, sexuality. Society may think that because of someone's identity that person may not, or should not, be given the opportunity to perform as well as others with different identities. The stereotype stigmas then can affect how that individual actually sees themselves and they may un-purposefully change their skill level to actually fit societies idea of them.  

  

It is important that we focus on this as an attempt to reduce stereotype stigmas from occurring. The stereotype stigmas not only can cause seclusion, oppression, and emotional damage, but it can affect the way that individual may perform. 

  

People who have stereotype stigmas relating to their certain identity often have feelings of inferiority that can make it hard to get motivated, pay attention, and remember material, as seen in Jane Elliot's classroom experiment referenced in "Whistling Vivaldi: how stereotypes affect us and what we can do" by Claude Steel. 

(Gender stereotype stigmas regarding conversation)

https://infograph.venngage.com/p/178072/stigma

The problem is that if society allows stereotype stigmas to continue to lessen minorities performance then excellence gaps will continue to get larger. Excellence gaps are directly related to stereotype stigmas because they are what the stigmas lead to. Excellence gaps are the gaps in academic success between different groups in society. One group will have very large success while there will be a large gap defining the next groups amount of success. In my last post I discuss some of the problems related to excellence gaps but a few examples are; it can stall the United States growth due to lower wages as well as can create more racial tensions in the country due to obvious discrimination towards certain groups which puts more strain on the country. 

Some stereotype stigmas that I have personally encountered, and it may just have been perceived, is that I, a young female, must know less about politics than older male counterparts. It could be the reason I do not typically like to discuss politics now in group settings because I am nervous I will say something incorrect or uneducated sounding. By staying silent in political discussions it may make it seem like I don't have any thoughts to contribute which could make people then think I am uneducated on the topic, making a cycle. I could be missing out on feedback due to this which could lead me be underperforming compared to others.

(The cycle of stereotype stigma)

https://infograph.venngage.com/p/178072/stigma

I think the most important thing to do when it comes to stereotype stigmas is to realize that they are in fact present in our society. Schools seem to mimic society when it comes to stigmas, as Steele suggested in his book. The society needs to be educated on sensitivity with word choices and actions, we need to continue to make diverse groups and organizations that everyone can find something suitable to them, and we need to just acknowledge that stereotype stigmas are present and it is everyone that is making them.

References

Steele, C. (2011). Whistling Vivaldi: And other clues to how stereotypes affect us. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.