Social and Cultural Influences on Behavior - Essay Example

Discrimination Discrimination Since 9/11 and terrorist attacks that have occurred after 9/11, people around the world suspect that Muslims and individuals from Arab countries are responsible for all these attacks and have regarded Muslims as terrorists (Hodges, 2007, p.194). This image of the Muslims is portrayed by the media and the media is continuously pushing the thought that all Muslims are terrorists and just on the basis of certain events such as 9/11 for which the individuals living in Arab nations were held responsible.

This kind of discrimination is regarded as stereotyping and slowly and steadily every individual around the world has fallen into this trap. Stereotyping is referred to the act of forming an opinion regarding a society or a community on the basis of certain events that might have been conducted by a small portion of that community (Macrae, 1996, p.42). For example: certain number of Muslims were involved in the terrorist attacks of 9/11and the entire Muslim community is regarded as terrorists.

Social conformity has a huge role to play in such situations as those who do not conform to the believes of their society are considered as helpers of the society that is being stereotypes and are punished in the way the stereotyped society is being punished. This kind of discrimination can be controlled at the individual level, if individuals start learning the real essence of the religion and this type of discrimination can be countered at the societal level if media starts portraying the correct image of people of the Arab nations.

ReferencesHodges, Adam, and Chad Nilep. Discourse, war and terrorism. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2007. Print.Macrae, C. Neil, Charles Stangor, and Miles Hewstone. Stereotypes and stereotyping. New York: Guilford Press, 1996. Print.