treatment based on appearance

 Kacius 1 Stephanie Kacius Mrs. Ryan Advanced Learner 16 March 2015 How Are People Treated Based Upon Their Appearance? Since birth we’re told what to think. Our parents, friends, teachers, the media, school, and work all influence our everyday lives but not only that, our everyday thinking. Just living life and experiencing events changes and manipulates our thinking. There are indications that contemporary mainstream media reinforce negative stereotypes about minorities (Valentino, Hutchings, White). We are affected by all our surroundings and because of that our perception of others is heavily influenced and constantly changing. Therefore, society favors certain physical characteristics of individuals, which results in unfair treatment and discrimination towards individuals. The main characteristics that society looks at are height, gender, weight, and race. These traits all affect the way that society treats and thinks of individuals. One of the first main traits that is evaluated during a first impression is height. Whether an individual is short or tall, it makes a big difference in how society sees them. Tall men are more likely to attain leadership positions (Lindqvist). US Presidents tend to be significantly taller than the average height in the US male population (Persico et al). Tall people are seen as more persuasive (Baker and Redding, Zebrowitz, Young and French), impressive (Kurtz) and capable (Hensley). An increase in height by 10 cm is associated with a 5.8 percent higher wage (Lindqvist). In universities, assistant professors are 1.24 inches taller, associate professors are 1.5 Kacius 2 inches taller, and professors are 1.97 inches taller than the average individual of their age and gender (Hensley). Fifty two department chairmen averaged 2.14 inches taller than others of their age and gender (Hensley). The stereotype of gender profiling is one stereotype that has been alive since the dawn of time. It was shown that there were less favorable attitudes toward female than male leaders and potential leaders, although this female disadvantage should have decreased over time (Eagly, Karau). When are women compared to men the difference between them is very visible. [White men] earn more [wages] than any other gender/race category (Acker). Both white women and women of color are at the bottom of the wage hierarchy (Acker). Even in physically attractive people there was a difference in the qualities associated with them. Men were thought to possess positive intellectual qualities such as scientific and negative social attributes such as sternness (Eagly, Makhijani, Ashmore, Longo). In contrast, women were associated with negative intellectual qualities such as naivete and positive social attributes such as helpfulness (Eagly, Makhijani, Ashmore, Longo). In T.V., men outnumbered women among white, black, Latino, and Native American depictions; however, among Asian American characters, women and men were equivalent in number (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Among male characters, Scheffe tests showed blacks and Latinos significantly more likely than whites to be portrayed in major roles (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). For females, only blacks were significantly more likely than whites to be represented in major roles (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Kacius 3 Our culture values thinness and perpetuates societal messages that obesity is the mark of a defective person (Friedman, Puhl). Overweight people face discrimination in employment, education, and health care (Puhl R, Heuer C.). Women appear particularly vulnerable: over one­quarter (27%) of them report employment discrimination (Roehling MV, Roehling PV, Pichler S). Overweight and obese applicants are viewed as having poor self­discipline, low supervisory potential, poor personal hygiene, and less ambition and productivity (Agerström, Bellizzi JA, Hasty RW, Everett M, Giel KE, Thiel A, Teufel M, Mayer J, Zipfel S., Rooth DO, Rudolph CW, Wells CL, Weller MD, Baltes BB). They are also viewed as lazy, less competent, and lacking in self­discipline by their employers and coworkers (Roehling MV., Shapiro JR, King EB, Quinones MA). [Out of ] 400 doctors, one of every three listed obesity behind only drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness. They associated obesity with noncompliance, hostility, dishonesty, and poor hygiene (Klein D, Najman J, Kohrman AF, Muncro C). Doctors hold stereotypes of them [overweight and obese individuals] as lazy, lacking in self­control, non­compliant, unintelligent, weak­willed, sloppy and dishonest (Bocquier A, Verger P, Basdevant A, Foster GD, Wadden TA, Makris AP, Harvey EL, Hill AJ., Huizinga MM, Cooper LA, Bleich SN, Clark JM, Beach MC., Persky S, Eccleston CP., Puhl RM., Puhl RM, Heuer CA). Teachers say overweight students are untidy, more emotional, less likely to succeed at work, and more likely to have family problems (Neumark­Sztainer D, Story M, Harris T). Peers view obese children as undesirable playmates who are lazy, stupid, ugly, mean, and unhappy (Friedman, Puhl). Kacius 4 It may be that despite the change in stereotype ​
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over the years, there has remained, a coherent consistent stereotype of Blacks (Devine, Elliot). In a study done of the traits people thought of African American people 74% thought they were athletic, 57% thought rhythmic, 46% thought low in intelligence, 45% thought poor, 45% thought lazy, 40% thought loud, 35% thought criminal, 25% thought hostile, and 14% thought ignorant (Katz, Braly, Gilbert, Karlins, Coffman, Walters, Dovidio, Gaertner, Devine, Elliot). On primetime television, blacks are portrayed as the most hot­tempered men on television (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Blacks were significantly more likely than whites to appear in crime dramas (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Blacks were significantly more likely than whites to be depicted as officers of the court (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Among women, black characters were most often found in medical roles (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Black men discussed work most often and significantly more so than whites (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). In education, african american students face negative cultural stereotypes that portray members of their ethnic group as less intelligent than European Americans (Steele). It’s generally assumed that all Asian Americans are high­achieving model minorities (Lee). In the Katz and Braly stereotyping study, Japanese were seen as intelligent, industrious, progressive, and shrewd (i.e., competent) but shy and quiet (unsociable) (Lin, Kwan, Cheung, Fiske). Chinese were sly (implying competence) but conservative, tradition loving, superstitious, and loyal to family (implying deficient mainstream sociability) (Lin, Kwan, Cheung, Fiske). A review of Asian American stereotypes over time further demonstrates that the dominant group tends to characterize Asians along the lines of competence and unsociability (Lin, Kwan, Kacius 5 Cheung, Fiske). Chinese and Japanese Americans were being viewed as competent (intelligent, industrious) yet lacking in sociability with the dominant group (loyal to family, quiet, shy) (Karlins, Coffman, & Walters; Maykovich). The model minority stereotype is the most contemporary view of Asian Americans; it emphasizes their perceived competence by portraying them as diligent and successful in their economic and educational endeavors (Lin, Kwan, Cheung, Fiske). Today, Asian Indians have the highest levels of economic and educational attainment among AAPI [Asian and Pacific Islander] ethnic groups (Lee, Kumashiro). In education, teachers were found to hold the highest expectations for Asian­American students (Tenenbaum, Ruck). When asked, students were both aware of and endorsed the stereotype that Asians are better at math than Whites (Cvencek, O’Connor, Wischnia, Nasir, Meltzoff). At 12.5% of the population, Latinos constitute the largest racial /ethnic minority group in the United States. Yet research suggests that they remain dramatically underrepresented on television compared with real­world figures—typically comprising 1% to 3% of the prime time television population. (Bradley, Greenberg, Mastro, Brand, Bryant, Zillmann, Erlbaum). Latino images on television remain infrequent and well below real­world census figures (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latino males were shown to have lower job authority and were depicted less frequently in professional occupations than were other male characters (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinos were the youngest, most inappropriately dressed characters, with the heaviest accents on television (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Among men, Latinos also were generally thinner and more attractive than their on­air counterparts (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Longstanding stereotypes depict an image of Latinos as addictively romantic, sensual, sexual, Kacius 6 and even exotically dangerous (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latino men were the least intelligent and least articulate characters (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinas were the laziest characters in prime time (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Further, they were the least intelligent, most verbally aggressive, embodied the lowest work ethic, and (alongside whites) were the most ridiculed (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). No race­based differences for men emerged on motivation, work ethic, respect, physical aggression, verbal aggression, or sexual aggression (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). For women, no differences based on race were revealed for motivation, physical aggression, or sexual aggression (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinos appeared significantly more often in sitcoms than whites (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinos were significantly more often family members compared with whites (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinas and whites were most often identified as family members (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latino men most frequently discussed crime and topics identified as "other" (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latinos portrayed significantly lower in job authority than whites (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Latino men were generally deemed most physically appealing among males (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). In education, latino/a students face negative cultural stereotypes that portray members of their ethnic group as less intelligent than European Americans (Steele). History has shown how the European American race is dominant as seen in actions and events. Positive traits are more strongly associated with whites than with blacks, and negative characteristics are more strongly associated with blacks than with whites (Dovidio, Evans, Tyler). On primetime television, Latinas and female whites were most often identified as family members (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). White women significantly higher in social authority than Kacius 7 Latinas (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). White women were the most attractive among females (Mastro, Behm­Morawitz). Jim Crow Laws, and other similar laws, not only repressed African Americans, but dehumanized them in the eyes of white people who were deemed superior (Butler). Some of the most studied academic stereotypes in childhood and adolescence pertain to African Americans and Latinos, who are stereotypically portrayed as “caring less about school” or as being “less intelligent” (Okeke, Howard, Kurtz­ Costes, & Rowley) than their White and Asian counterparts. Teachers held more positive expectations for European American students than Latino/a or African American students (Tenenbaum, Ruck). White stereotypes are more three­dimensional, pluralistic, and even contradictory in nature, whereas non white stereotypes, especially black and Latina/o ones, characterize these groups in a one­dimensional, monolithic manner (Croom). An individual's genetics and the features they inherit from their parents majorly affects the first impression they have on other people before they ever get to speak. Mankind has a established a preference for physical characteristics of people and because of this humanity treats those who don’t fit the description unfairly and discriminate against them. Whether an individual is short or tall, it makes a big difference in how society sees them. The male preference has been present since the dawn of time. Overweight people face discrimination in employment, education, and health care. It may be that despite the change in stereotype ​
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over the years, there has remained, a coherent consistent stereotype of Blacks. It’s generally assumed that all Asian Americans are high­achieving model minorities. Latinos constitute the largest racial /ethnic minority group in the United States, but are underrepresented and face undermining stereotypes. Kacius 8 History has made European Americans the prefered race. Therefore, the tall, thin, white male, in our current state, has acquired the preferential treatment. We let others dictate what we think from birth till death. Our thinking is ever changing and it is reflected in our actions. So the question is, how will society think of others, who do not fit this current description, in the future? Will society ever change? Works Cited Acker, Joan. INEQUALITY REGIMES Gender, Class, and Race in Organizations. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2015. <​
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