Discussion

1. Think of a task that one of the social groups to which you belong is considered to be particularly good or poor at. Do you think the cultural stereotypes about your group have ever influenced your performance on a task?
2. Describe a time when the members of one of your important social groups behaved in a way that increased group identity (e.g., showing the black sheep effect). What was the outcome of the actions?
3. Have you ever confronted or failed to confront a person who you thought was expressing prejudice or discriminating? Why did you confront (or not confront) that person, and how did doing so make you feel?
4. Do you think gender roles are due more to biology or to culture and socialization? Explain your answer.
5. In small groups, share with your classmates some of the communication style(s) people in your culture or community use to persuade others.
6. What are the root causes of cross-cultural communication?
7. What are the key strategies for successful cross-cultural persuasion?
8. Why is dialogue essential as a basis for cross-cultural persuasion?

Homework

1. Take one of the two interviews listed on Understanding Prejudice.
2. Write a short essay about one or two events you recall from your childhood that reflected or reinforced your gender socialization.

References

11.1 Social Categorization and Stereotyping