Unfounded Stereotypes and Stereotyping at State University

Unfounded Stereotypes at State University Choosing a college major is often a difficult and distressing task for many students. Most individuals attend college to obtain a career that will lead to wealth and success. When deciding on a major, students consider their main interests as well as the opportunities offered by particular fields of study. Many of these young adults, however, never consider that the decisions they make can determine their status at a university and can be the source of many generalizations by peers. Especially at the State University, certain majors are believed to be more credible than others. For example, those found in the fields of mathematics and science are perceived to be highly difficult and time†¦show more content†¦In addition, many students are pressured into a certain major by family members who want children or grandchildren to excel financially or to follow in certain footsteps. Unfortunately. this is a misguided approach to selecting a major because a students desires and stre ngths might lie elsewhere. Director of career services at the University of Connecticut, Cynthia Sedgwick states that That approach may leave you destined for failure . . . . First and foremost, students have to be in touch with their skills and interests as they approach their education. And sometimes the passion is more important than the skills (How to Pick a College Major 1). Choosing a major based on the wealth it might lead to enforces the stereotype as students select fields they believe to be superior and more prestigious. If students were to choose a major based solely on their individual interests and their propensity to succeed in a job that they enjoy, then it is doubtful that such opinions and rivalries would exist between majors. In a survey of thirty-five Notre Dame students representing different grade levels and majors, the opinions about certain majors as well as about stereotypes were largely in concurrence. Students tended to name Arts and Letters as well as Business as two of the lighter majors, regardless of the individuals own major. The nickname Arts and Leisure surfaced seven times, one student noting that I heard Arts and Letters called Arts andShow MoreRelatedThe Impact of Diversity and Demographic Characteristics on Individual Behavior1066 Words   |  5 Pagesnot always predict behavior, the link between attitudes/values and potential or intended behavior is important for managers to understand. (Schermerhorn, Hunt, Osborn 2005) Prejudices (preconceived and often erroneous views about others) and stereotyping (generalizations at the base of prejudice) are negative observable behaviors that manifest into discrimination. 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