Glossary

Definitions for ages 6-9

For younger children, it is not essential that the terms stereotype, prejudice, discrimination and scapegoating be used. It is important, however, that the concepts be discussed and this can be done by using simpler language and explanation. Discuss the following behaviors with children and whenever possible, provide clear examples for clarification. [NOTE: These words are often discussed and referenced in daily life so the words might not be new to children. It is important that the meaning of each word is understood so children can use the terminology correctly.]

STEREOTYPE (an idea)
Example: All four-year-olds are crybabies.
Sometimes we look at groups of people and think they are all the same in one way or another. We think that everyone in a group is the same as everyone else. We need to remember that each person is an individual. We are all different from each other, and thereby special for that reason alone.

PREJUDICE (a feeling)
Example: I hate four-year-olds.
Sometimes we feel and think about people and things in an unfair way. We often have these thoughts and feelings because we are unfamiliar with the people or things we have negative feelings about. Everyone feels and thinks this way sometimes; it means we have more to learn about people and things.

DISCRIMINATION (an action)
Example: We don’t play with four-year-olds.
There are times when we treat another person or a group of people unfairly and this can hurt their feelings. Sometimes we act this way because of a stereotype or prejudice. Sometimes we are hurtful and we know it, and other times we are hurtful and we do not know it. Either way, we have to learn not to he hurtful.

SCAPEGOATING (an action)
Example: Let’s blame the mess in the playroom on the four-year-olds because we don’t want to get in trouble.
Sometimes we blame other for things that are actually not their fault.

Definitions for ages 9-12

STEREOTYPE (an idea)
Example: All eight-year-olds are stupid.
A stereotype is an oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for individual differences. Even positive stereotypes, such as “all Asians are good at math and computers,” have a negative impact.

PREJUDICE (a feeling)
Example: I hate Jews.
Prejudice is prejudging, making a decision about a person or group of people without sufficient knowledge. Prejudicial thinking is based on stereotypes. Prejudice is hard to change. Prejudgments may sometimes prevail even though there is evidence against them.

DISCRIMINATION (an action)
Example: Let’s not let Jewish kids on any of our teams.
Discrimination is the behavior that can follow prejudicial thinking. Discrimination is the denial of justice and fair treatment in many areas, including employment, housing and political rights. It means separating a person or group unjustly from some part of society.

SCAPEGOATING (an action)
Example: We’ll lose our game because Jews are selfish.
Scapegoating is the action of blaming an individual or group for something when, in reality, there may not be one person or group responsible for the problem. It is hostile words or actions and the victim usually cannot fight back. It means blaming another person or group for problems in society because of that person’s group identity. Prejudicial thinking and discriminatory acts can lead to scapegoating. Scapegoating can lead to verbal and physical violence, including death.

Key Words

academic – school skills
accuracy – correctness, exactness
accurate – correct, exact
adaptive methods – ways to modify, to fit
adoptive family – non-biological caregivers
advantages – superiority of positions
agree – settle by common consent
aids – something by which assistance is given
alliance – bond or connection
ally – friend, supporter
ancestors – family members from the past
arrogant – exaggerated worth
artistic – talented in the arts
assumptions – unproven beliefs
attitude – mental emotion
audit – a formal or official examination
barriers – obstacles
beautiful – generally pleasing to one or more senses
beige – light brown
bilingual – ability to speak two languages
biological – connected by a direct genetic relationship
biracial – involving two races/ethnicities
body language – movement of body as a means of communication
Braille – communication “alphabet” for person who are blind
campus – (university) school grounds
celebrations – ceremonies
characteristics – revealing traits of an individual
clique – exclusive group or persons
combat – fight or contest between individuals or groups
commitment – agreement, pledge
commonality – generally similar features or attributes
communication – the act of transmitting information
communication board – a board with pictures and letters, often used as a communication aid
community – people with a common interest living in a particular area sharing resources
compromise – to bind by mutual agreement
consensus – agreement
consequences – results
cultural identity – see oneself in cultural terms
denial – refusal to admit truth or reality
derogatory – expressive of a low opinion; unkind or demeaning
different – unlike
disability – a person or child experiencing developmental delays in one or more of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development; and thereby in need of special education or related services.
(disability) accessible – easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, and/or use safely and with dignity by a person with a disability (site, facility, work environment, service, or program)
disadvantages – lacking in basic resources or conditions
disagree – not in agreement
distortions – to twist the true meaning
ecstatic – state of overwhelming emotion
embarrass – self-conscious distress
emotion – a state of feeling
environment – surroundings
equitable – fair
ethnic slur – an insulting remark directed at a person’s ethnicity
ethnicity – relating to large groups of people grouped according to common traits (and cultures)
exclude – to bar from participation
exclusion – the act of being barred form participation
expressive – effectively conveying meaning or feeling
extended family – family unit consisting of one or two adults and their children
external – outer part
fact – actual occurrence
fair – conforming with established rules
fair play – the act of conforming with established rules
features – structural appearance
feeling – emotions
female – girl, woman
fictional – invented story
foster care – give parental care not necessarily related by blood or legal ties.
frame of reference – point of view
gay – a common and acceptable word for male homosexuals, but used for both genders
gender – male and female
generalization – a general statement
generation – a single line of descent
gestures – the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression.
governing practices – ways of behaving and thinking that are considered the norm or that are practiced by the majority of people
hereditary – genetically transmitted
heritage – family history
holidays – special-day celebrations
homosexual – a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted or committed to members of the same sex
hostile – not hospitable, not nice
identity – the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
ignore – refuse to take notice
image – reproduction or imitation of a form
incident – reproduction or imitation of a form
incident – an occurrence of an action
inclusion – to be part of the whole
influence – to have an effect on someone or something
injustice – violation of right or of the rights of others
insider – person recognized or accepted as a member of a particular group
internal – inner part; within
interpret – to explain or tell the meaning of
interrupt – to stop or hinder by breaking in
interview – formal consultation
just – acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good
justice – maintaining what is morally upright and good
lavish – excessive
lesbian – a common and acceptable word for female homosexuals only
linguistic – relating to language
male – boy, man
manual alphabet – the letters A,B, C, D, E, F,…
mask – cover or partial cover for the face used as a disguise
mobility – movement
mood – conscious state of mind
moral – relating to principles of right and wrong
multigenerational – several generations
multilingual – able to speak several languages
narrator – person who relates a story
nationality – defined territory, government, nation
natural tendency – unconscious learning
nuclear (family) – a family group that consists only of father, mother, children
observable – capable of being seen
open-minded – receptive to arguments and/or new ideas
opinion – a view or judgment formed in one’s mind
outsider – person who does not belong to a particular group or is made to feel not a part of the group
peer pressure – the influence over one’s thinking and behavior from friends or person of similar age
perceive – to become aware of through the senses
perception – mental image
perspective – observation interpreted in the light of experience
physical – having material existence
physical characteristics – body traits
point of view – position from which something is considered or evaluated
population – the whole number of people or inhabitants in country or region
posture – a conscious mental pose or attitude
potential – existing in possibility; capable of development in actuality
prejudging – to judge before full and sufficient examination
profile – a representation of something in outline
propose – to put forward a plan of intention
pyramid – a 3-dimensional construction of square ground and 4 triangular walls forming a peak
receptive – open to receiving stimuli
relay – to transmit
reporter – one who conveys information
resolution – the act of answering, solving
respect – to consider worthy of high regard
responsibility – accountability
ritual – relating to a rite or ceremony
roles – character assigned or assumed
same – resembling in every relative respect
scenario – an outline of a play or plot
self-portrait – image of self
sign language – communication aid for people who are deaf
skills – dexterity in learned physical tasks
society – organized group working and residing within an identified space
solution – an action on process of solving problems
stanza – a division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together
sulk – moody and silent
symbolize – to use a sign to represent something else
symbols – signs used to represent or reflect something else
talent – a characteristic, feature, aptitude, disposition or a person
texture – something composed of closely interwoven elements
theme – a subject or topic
thought – an opinion or belief in the mind
tradition – handing down of information, beliefs, customs
trait – distinguishing quality
unfair – not conforming to established rules
unique – being the only one
unjustly – unfairly
values – principles or qualities intrinsically valuable or desirable
viewpoint – personal opinion or judgment