Daily Lecture Notes "Culture & Biases"

Cultural Biases I. Cultural Biases: Cultural biases are unequal opinions or treatments towards others based on their culture. There are 3 general types of biases: Ethnocentrism Prejudice Discrimination

Cultural Biases II. Ethnocentrism: When a person applies their own cultural standards and beliefs to the actions or beliefs of another culture. Example: “Canada has provinces, not states—that’s stupid.” Example: “They eat that? That’s gross!”

Cultural Biases III. Prejudice: Judging an entire group based on your knowledge of a portion of that group. Prejudices tend to be unfavorable opinions about members of a particular group. Example: “People named Ramadan are liars.” Example: “Jocks are dumb.”

Cultural Biases III. Prejudice: Think about one prejudice that you have or someone else you know has towards another group. *Note: It doesn’t need to be an extreme prejudice, but it should be something that led someone being thought of or treated unfairly because they were part of that group. Please write prejudice down on the note card. Ex. I used to think anyone that went to a private school was stuck up.

Cultural Biases IV. Discrimination: The unequal treatment of others based on the group that they are in. Example: “Old people should have their licenses taken away.” Example 2: “Don’t let the teachers sit with you at lunch.”

Cultural Biases V. Racism, Classism, and Sexism: The belief that one race, class, or gender is naturally better than another, and that skin color, wealth, or gender is the main way that people should or will be judged. Racism, Classism, and Sexism can either be expressed as a prejudice view or a form of discrimination. Example: Nazis believed in an Aryan race and that all non-Aryans should be eliminated. Example: Poor people are all ugly. Example: Women can’t play baseball.

Cultural Biases VI. Becoming Culturally Aware: Ethnocentrism, prejudice, discrimination, and the isms create misunderstandings and eventually lead to an unhealthy environment. The key to stopping cultural biases is becoming more aware of when and how they are happening. Now test your knowledge and see if you can detect when each of these cultural biases is present.

Check your understanding: Decide which category each of the statements below fit into (Racism=R, Ethnocentrism=E, Prejudice=P, Discrimination=D) _____ 1. “Why don’t they eat more food instead of offering it to a guest?” _____ 2.“All Irish are happy but lazy people.” _____ 3.“White students are dumber in math than Asian students.” _____ 4.“People from different races should never marry because it ruins a pure race.” _____ 5.“I would never hire a German to work here.” _____ 6.“Why don’t they build a real house.” _____ 7.“All Mexicans are on welfare.” _____ 8.“African-Americans can’t drink out of the same water fountains as whites.” _____ 9.“Men wear dresses there? That’s so weird!” _____ 10.“Polish people can’t dance and they can’t jump!” _____ 11.“How can they eat that stuff?” _____ 12.“Asian people are never taller than 5 feet.”

A Class Divided What is your opinion of the film? Were you surprised by what you saw? What is the most important thing you will take away from the film? What does this film tell you about how prejudice and discrimination spread? Do you think that if this same study was done today, it would have the same results?

Cultural Biases I. Privilege: Privilege is defined as having ability and access. Many people may have one of these, but it is the truly privileged that have both. Lack of Privilege Ex. A very creative person that doesn’t have access to the supplies to make anything. Ex. A person who is given access to vote, but does not have the ability to read the ballot. The biggest issue with privilege is that those with it assume that it is natural and that they deserve to have it.

How might privilege be related to racism, classism, and sexism? Cultural Biases How might privilege be related to racism, classism, and sexism?

Cultural Biases V. Racism, Classism, and Sexism: The belief that one race, wealth group, or gender is naturally better than another, and that skin color, wealth, or gender is the main way that people should or will be judged. Racism, Classism, and Sexism can either be expressed as a prejudice view or a form of discrimination. Example: Nazis believed in an Aryan race and that all non-Aryans should be eliminated. Example: Poor people are all ugly. Example: Women can’t play baseball.

Cultural Biases II. How do deal with Privilege: The key to dealing with privilege is first recognizing that it exist. Consider how your privileges may be used for your benefit and the benefit of others.