Section D Stereotypes are troublesome because they are often indiscriminate, exhibit an allness orientation , and can produce frozen evaluations. Considering the pervasiveness of stereotyping in our society , one should not take it lightly. When we stereotype we define a person and this definition, superficial at best, can be quite powerful. To stereotype is to define and to define is to control, especially if the definition is widely accepted regardless of its accuracy. In a male dominated society women may be stereotyped as empty-headed and illogical. The fact that the stereotype has persisted for years manifests the control men have over women, control that excludes women from executive positions and relegates them to mindless housekeeping duties. Women’s liberation is fundamentally the struggle to define, to reject male stereotypes of females. Stereotypes are sometimes seductive, however. When women are told repeatedly that they are stupid, they may begin believing it. A self-fulfilling prophecy may develop. Low self-esteem produced from male definitions of women as unintelligent can lead to poor performance and the consequent belief that the stereotype has merit. The stereotype is thus nurtured and perpetuated. Stereotyping can thus control, insidiously imprisoning its victims in constraining roles. So whole stereotyping isn’t intrinsically evil. Most stereotypes lack empirical foundations and are assertions of power and dominance over less powerful groups. Reduced to an abstraction, victims of stereotyping must struggle to define themselves or be content to accept roles others have carved out for them. It is little wonder our society has been experiencing turmoil. Summary: We can see that stereotypes are dangerous because they are indiscriminate, are inclined toward【41】______and give a frozen evaluation. They also define and【42】______people if the stereotypes are widely accepted. Women, for example, have to【43】______to reject men’s stereotypes of females. Sometimes stereotypes are seductive. People believe these images, so they become【44】______. An image can control its victims, imprisoning them in roles. Even most stereotypes aren’t true, victims of stereotyping must struggle to【45】______or accept the bad image others have made up. (41)