1. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Prototypes This activity introduces the idea of “prototype” and “stereotype” and demonstrates the power of gender schemas. Acknowledgements: This activity was written by Ann Merriwether, State University of New York at Binghamton

2. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Schemas and Prototypes A schema is a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information. A prototype is a mental image or best example of a category. Matching new items to the prototype provides a quick and easy method for including items in a category.

3. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Question 1: (Female Students Only) The chemistry professor you drew was A. male B. female

4. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Question 2: (Male Students Only) The chemistry professor you drew was A. male B. female

5. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Question 3: (Female Students Only) The elementary school teacher you drew was A. male B. female

6. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Question 4: (Male Students Only) The elementary school teacher you drew was A. male B. female

7. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Prototypes and Stereotypes A stereotype is a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people.

8. ActivePsych: Classroom Activities Project / Copyright © 2007 by Worth Publishers Consider This… What other ways do stereotypes influence our world views? Are gender roles good or bad? In what ways are they good? In what ways are they bad? How can we think beyond stereotypes?