Lesson 3 - Stereotypes, Labels, Sample Size, and Side Effects

Introduction

As discussed in your first lesson, our biases affect how we interpret the world around us and how we approach the treatment of abnormal behaviour. Nowadays, many misconceptions and erroneous stereotypes continue to plague contemporary society. Psychologists and other academics once thought that only bigoted people employed stereotypes but, in reality, all of us use stereotypes to some degree, many of which are subconscious.  Can you think of a stereotype that you might hold?  Our expectations and stereotypes of the woman's role in society has certainly changed over the years.  But do some stereotypes still exist today?