Experiencing OB

Individual Exercise

Identifying Occupational Stereotypes

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.

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

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