Police Officer Stereotypes Essay

Police Officers

Stereotypes are widely circulated oversimplifications of people, they stem from characteristics when looking at groups or individuals. On the other hand, a misconception is a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding. In short, it is an opinion that assumes the worst due to misleading information about groups. We stereotype people because it is cognitively effect, meaning once you have categorized you no longer need to consider information about each individual member of a group. In law enforcement, police officers are seen as racist crooks looking to cause harm and ruin lives of others, when in reality that is completely false. Police officers are only human, they have one of

On the contrary, misconceptions are always incorrect. Misconceptions stem from stereotypes with no basis for its reasoning, only assumption. Misconceptions are not prejudice or discrimination because there is no behavior involved, only uncontrollable thoughts and biases people hold in their minds. People cannot be convinced of the stereotypes and misconceptions they already hold until they are shown the ugly and honest truth they already hold. Still, not all stereotypes and misconceptions are negative. For example, in the article “About Men” written by Gretel Ehrlich, she explains “The physical punishment that goes with cowboying is greatly underplayed”(42). Ehrlich is not mentioning the cowboys in a dissenting manner, but she is acknowledging that they are hard workers that endure the physical strength their job brings. And for that very reason, they don’t receive enough credit for their ambitions. Ehrlich has not endured the harsh tragedies cowboys have faced in their lives. The situation here is that too many people assume the lives of others due to their social behavior. For example “If he ‘strong and silent’ it’s because there’s probably no one to talk to.”(41). Ehrlich’s stylistic choices were