Real-Life Examples of How Cultural Norms Perpetuate Prejudice

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 Cultural Norms: Socially accepted behaviors, beliefs, and values within a group.
• 🎭 Prejudice: Preconceived judgments or opinions, often negative, based on stereotypes.
• 🔗 Perpetuation: The process of continuing or maintaining something, often unintentionally.
• 💡 Stereotypes: Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about groups of people.
• ⚖️ Discrimination: Actions or behaviors based on prejudice that disadvantage certain groups.
• 🔑 Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is an example of how cultural norms can perpetuate prejudice?
   1. A) Actively protesting against discriminatory laws.
   2. B) Challenging stereotypes in media representations.
   3. C) Using gendered language that reinforces traditional roles.
   4. D) Promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
2. A company only hires employees who attended specific universities, often excluding qualified candidates from other institutions. This is an example of:
   1. A) Affirmative action.
   2. B) Meritocracy.
   3. C) Institutional prejudice.
   4. D) Random selection.
3. How can media representations perpetuate prejudice related to race?
   1. A) By consistently portraying diverse characters in leading roles.
   2. B) By challenging stereotypes and promoting cultural understanding.
   3. C) By reinforcing stereotypes through biased portrayals.
   4. D) By accurately depicting historical events and their impact.
4. A teacher assumes that male students are naturally better at math than female students. This demonstrates:
   1. A) Equitable assessment.
   2. B) Gender equality.
   3. C) Implicit bias.
   4. D) Objective evaluation.
5. Which scenario illustrates how family traditions might unintentionally perpetuate prejudice?
   1. A) Hosting cultural exchange programs to promote understanding.
   2. B) Encouraging children to interact with diverse groups of people.
   3. C) Telling jokes that reinforce stereotypes about certain ethnic groups.
   4. D) Celebrating multicultural festivals and events.
6. What is the potential impact of only showcasing Western perspectives in history curricula?
   1. A) It promotes a comprehensive understanding of global events.
   2. B) It provides a balanced view of different cultures and civilizations.
   3. C) It can marginalize and erase the contributions of non-Western societies.
   4. D) It encourages critical thinking about historical narratives.
7. A community resists the construction of affordable housing in their neighborhood due to fears about changing the area's demographics. This is an example of:
   1. A) Inclusive urban planning.
   2. B) Promoting socioeconomic diversity.
   3. C) Prejudice based on socioeconomic status and demographics.
   4. D) Supporting community development initiatives.