Although we usually reserve our concern over stereotypes to those about women and members of racial and ethnic minorities, the simple truth is that people can hold stereotypes toward members of just about any group. And, in organizations, people are likely to hold stereotypes based on a variable whose importance cannot be downplayed—the occupational groups to which they belong.
What we expect of people, and the way we treat them, is likely to be affected by stereotypes about their professions. This exercise will help you better understand this phenomenon.

Questions for Discussion 1. Did your ratings of the various groups differ? If so, which were perceived most positively and which were perceived most negatively?
2. On what characteristics, if any, did you find no differences with respect to the various groups? What do you think this means?
3. To what extent did your ratings agree with those of others? In other words, was there general agreement about the stereotypical nature of people in various occupational groups?
4. To what extent were your responses based on specific people you know? How did knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of members of the various occupational groups influence your ratings?
5. Do you believe that by becoming aware of these stereotypes you will perpetuate them in the future, or refrain from behaving in accord with them? Explain.

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Directions Using the following scale, rate each of the following occupational groups with respect to how much of each characteristic people in these groups tend to show. 1 = not at all 2 = a slight amount 3 a moderate amount 4 = a great amount 5 = an extreme amount