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Studies were conducted in 1933, 1951, and 1969 at Princeton University, in which students were asked to describe various ethnic and national groups. The results showed that upon initial experimentation, the list of early stereotypes for each of these groups were considerably negative. But as the years passed and the study was conducted again, the stereotypes became less negative.
As a group, we plan to conduct a similar study with the students and faculty of Miami University in Oxford. We plan to target stereotypical descriptions for groups distinguished by age (children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens), gender, socio-economic standing (upper-class, middleclass, and lower-class), race (Black, Asian-, Native-, and Hispanic-Americans, and Whites), and nationality (American, British, Irish, Mexican, Asian, German, Italian, African, and French).
We also plan to inquire MiamiÕs Students about other group stereotypes, such as those given according to oneÕs marital status (married, single, widowed, and divorced), sexual preference (heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, and gay), hair color (blond, brunette, and redhead), height (short, average height, and tall), and sexual activity (sexually active males and females, sexually inactive males and females). As a result of this line of questioning, we hope discover whether or not the degree of stereotyping, for those groups described by PrincetonÕs students, has become more of less harsh. We also look forward to discovering what stereotypes are more prevalent upon Miami UniversityÕs campus, both among staff members and students.
At present, we hypothesize that the stereotypical descriptions of those groups mentioned in the Princeton experiments will have become far less negative than they were in the 1969 experiment.
-Relevance of Research Question:
Stereotypes, held within any particular society, reflect that societyÕs cultural beliefs about its own members, as well as those in other parts of the world. According to E. Aronson et al., a stereotype is Òa generalization about a group of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all members of the group, regardless of actual variation among the membersÓ (Social Psychology: 3rd Edition 502). As citizens of a country that has been called the Òmelting potÓ for our planet, many people of various origins, with varied appearances, and of diverse beliefs populate much of North America. Despite this fact, most of these people, during the relatively short existence of the United States of America, have remained physically and/or emotionally separated from one other; due to certain status-bearing characteristics. These attributes include qualities such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, religion, and others. Again, a number of studies have been conducted, since the year 1933, in which Princeton University students were asked to Òassign traits to members of various ethnic and national groupsÓ (Social Psychology: 3rd Edition 512). Groups such as Americans, Japanese, Jews, and African Americans, to name a few, were classified under a number of the more familiar stereotypes that have circulated within the American schemata.
-Materials and Methods
In order to conduct our experiment, we plan to distribute the following questionnaire to Oxford Miami University Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Questionnaire
About you:
1. Age ____________________________________
2. Sex male female
3. Race: ____________________________________
4. Primary position at Miami University: Student Faculty Staff
Following this section of the questionnaire, there will be a list of group categories for which we will request at least five group characteristics commonly attributed to each respective grouping. Our list (so far) is as follows:
Primary Characteristics
-Age
Children
Teenagers
Adults
Senior Citizens
-Sex
Males
Females
-Economic Status
Upper-class
Middle-class
Lower-class
-Origin of Race in the U.S.
Blacks
Whites
Asian/ Pacific Islander Americans
Native Americans
Hispanic Americans
Middle Eastern Americans
-Nationality
North American, USA
North American, Canadian
American (South)
American (Central)
Mexican
British
Irish
Asian/ Pacific Islander
German
Italian
African
Caribbean
French
Greek
Polish
Russian
Middle Eastern
Other
Secondary Characteristics
-Hair Color
Blonde
Brunette
Redhead
-Height
Tall
Average
Short
-Build
Thin
Muscular
Average
Heavy
-Marital Status
Single
Married
Involved (Significant other)
Divorced
Widow/ Widower
-Sexual Orientation
Gays
Lesbians
Heterosexual Men
Heterosexual Women
Bisexuals
Transexuals
-Sexual Activity
Sexually Active Males
Sexually Active Females
Sexually Inactive Females
Sexually Inactive Males
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