The way man divides his thoughts and sorts them into different boxes, is a cognitive activity which works alike for every person. We split peoplesexterior attributes and characteristic qualities into stereotypes or prejudicemind patterns and treat them along those. This study examines through a qualitative method what twelve respondents (six women and six men) between the ages 16-21, think about “intense” conceptions, which may show stereotype or prejudice ways of thinking. There spondents have been chosen regardless ethnic or economic background andare all enrolled in an upper secondary school located centrally in a Swedish big city. The purpose is to find out if there are any differences between how some young men and some young women spontaneously think in stereotypical orprejudice patterns. The result is interpreted on the basis of the social cognitive perspective and from out of theories about how people create schemes andprototypes to separate individuals and groups from each other. This study suggests that men more easily express their stereotypes and prejudice, while women more often seem to be careful with their stereotypes and prejudice, and end up redefining them. Further in the discussion, aspects involving how the society, if not becoming aware of stereotypes and prejudice, can affect the people representing those stereotypes.

This essay argues that the protagonist of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South (1855), Margaret Hale, is a Byronic heroine. The counter argument that any such comparison is impossible because of her sex is refuted and examples are given of how Margaret is not portrayed like the other young women of the novel. She rejects the female stereotype of the time and it is furthermore proved that she steps out of the passive role considered best suited for a female, and takes on the active one, becoming the heroine of the piece. Finally, traits of Margaret’s character are compared to that of the archetypical Byronic Hero, and it is shown that she shares most of the defining character traits. It is concluded that certain discord in the comparison is needed for the concord to be visible, but rather than being idealized, Margaret is portrayed as a flawed character that rebels against the rules of society for the sake of those she loves. This makes her a Byronic heroine.

This thesis argues that women are increasingly recruited by terrorist organizations because they are perceived as high benefit and low cost perpetrators. Female terrorism is an increasing trend, as it is particularly effective and becoming more effective over time. Its effectiveness results from cross-cultural, deeply imbedded stereotypes of female behavior. Women are seen as nonviolent in the cultures from which female terrorists emerge and in which they perpetrate their attacks, and are therefore given more lenient security measures at security barriers. In addition, security policies reflect these stereotypes, as some only apply to men. The literature on the topic of gender and terrorism often addresses individual motivations for terrorism and misses the practical element of group strategy that is vital to understand in order to effectively defend against the trends of female terrorism. I found that terrorist groups are rational actors and thus choose to deploy women because they are low cost and high benefit. Terrorist groups learn through interactive exchanges with the target population or government and act accordingly. While the goal of gender equality may be used in secular terrorist organizations’ rhetoric, women’s involvement in terrorism does not necessarily equate to western-style feminism or gender equality. I illustrate the racial implications that are upheld and replicated through stereotypes about terrorism. Muslims are portrayed as terrorists to bolster the government’s interest in securing votes for its foreign policy agenda. I argue that stereotypes persist because of the media’s drive for profit as well as the perceived need for narrative fidelity, although this type of reporting benefits terrorist groups and impairs the target state’s security. If understood and addressed properly, this trend of female terrorist lethality can be undermined through policy recommendations. International organizations that adopt these policy recommendations together may effectively reduce female terrorist lethality, terrorism in general, and increase global security.

The graduation dissertation Old Age Images and Stereotypes in the Media is the analysis of the impact the media does on the formation of the old age images and stereotypes. The objective of this work has been to reveal images and stereotypes that are formed by the media.

This thesis aims to firstly, explore the effects that perceived age and ability have on person perception. Secondly to discover how these two constructs add to the theory on person perception, and thirdly to test a new methodological approach to the study of person perception. / Thesis (MPsy(Specialisation)--University of South Australia, 2003.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1998. / Title from document title page. "December 13, 1998." Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 78 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-62).

Thesis (M.A. in communication)--Washington State University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005. / Amy Bruckman, Committee Member ; Jack Feldman, Committee Chair ; Dianne Leader, Committee Member ; Larry James, Committee Member ; Ruth Kanfer, Committee Member. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 3, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-32).

Thesis (M.S.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1998. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2720. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-48).