Cultural Diversity
In & Through Sport
Lesson Two:
Stereotypes & Prejudices
and Sport
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication
[communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for
any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session you should be able to:
• Describe a range of stereotypes
• Outline positive and negative factors in relation to the stereotypes
identified
Task: Warm Up
• Review: Can you recall the definitions of the following terms? Give
definitions and at least two examples:
 Prejudice
 Discrimination
 Stereotypes
Task: General Stereotypes
• Working in groups, identify the stereotypes associated with the
following countries:
• Mexico
• Germany
• China
• The USA
• Where did these ideas come from? Are there any positive or
negative effects of these stereotypes?
Stereotypes and Prejudices
• There is a close link between
prejudice and stereotypes
• Someone who is prejudiced will
more then likely hold stereotyped
views about the group and/or
individual they have pre-judged
Can you guess which country these
stereotypes represent?
Definition of Stereotypes
Stereotypes are:
• The over-generalised way of labelling people before we know them;
often based on a person’s cultural background, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, disability, age or nationality
• An image or idea of a particular type of person that has become fixed
due to being widely held
• An assumption based on inaccurate, preconceived ideas and
misinformation
What’s the Message?
• Watch and then discuss the following advert from the United Nations:
Click here.
Types of Stereotypes
• Stereotypes can be both positive…:
“Thai people are friendly and welcoming.”
…and negative:
“Irish people love getting drunk.”
Types of Stereotypes
As noted, stereotypes can be positive or negative.
• For example, we could stereotype all older people as “cranky” or
we could stereotype them as “wise”
• The point is that when we stereotype someone we make
assumptions. We assume that they will talk, look, and act like all
the other members of the category into which we put that person
Origin of Stereotypes
• Stereotypes can come from such things as:
national dresses or costumes
how people get around
the food people eat
Stereotypes at War
• During times of war, propaganda relies heavily of national stereotypes,
which are usual to extremes:
Pro USA & UK Poster: Just after
World War I
Anti-Japanese Poster: World War II
Task: Stereotypes
Group activity:
• Identify as many stereotypes as you can
• Try to identify where these stereotypes may have come from
• Do these stereotypes have any implications?
Activity: What Sport Do You Play?
Group activity:
• Discuss the sport(s) you play
• Give reasons for your choice
• Explore what influenced your choices.
• What assumptions can be drawn from your choice(s)?
• Where did these ideas come from?
• Are there any negative effects to these stereotypes?
Psychology of Stereotyping
• Stereotyping individuals for the groups to which they belong is
considered a limiting behaviour
• For those who are stereotyped, it can limit their individual
development by failing to recognise their uniqueness and reducing
their options in life
Stereotyping Outcomes
Stereotyping can have lead to inequality in a number of ways:
• Stereotypes shape people’s expectations of themselves and of others
• Stereotypes can limit people’s choices and opportunities in life
• Stereotypes can also influence how someone is perceived
• In some circumstances, people can be prevented from accessing
education, services or employment because of stereotyping
• In other words: Stereotyping often leads to discrimination
Task: Degree of Stereotyping
• Discuss whether some stereotypes are more serious than others?
• Explore whether all stereotypes are bad or negative, and what
might difficult about good or positive stereotypes?
Task: Good Neighbours
Imagine the house next door is up for sale and the following are potential
new neighbours. Place in order of preference, giving reasons for your
choices.
A retired school teacher and his wife
A large family: Two parents and seven
children
A black family
A newly married couple
A lesbian couple
A young white couple with a small
baby
A young black man in his early 20s
A Polish family
A convicted criminal released after
serving his/her sentence
A Traveller family
Thought for the Day
• A controversial advertisement from Portugal:
Click here.