ABSTRACT
The terms male, female, Black, Anglo, Asian, and Native American carry powerful images of the characteristics or attributes of specific groups. Such labels or stereotypes not only carry messages about how various groups are perceived but also convey expectations about how various group members should behave and what characteristics or attributes are valued by the dominant group. Stereotypes, especially gender stereotypes, influence our expectations and evaluations of what is appropriate for ourselves as well as for others. Stereotypes can limit the types of careers that people select and can facilitate or inhibit the perceptions of an individual’s effectiveness.
