1-How generalizations can contribute to stereotypes and prejudice based on the

example and definitions given by the textbook?

Generalizations are usually regrouping every individual, animal or object for that

matter in the same category, usually synonym of the expression “judging a book by its

cover”. In fact, generalization can be done for both humans and objects. One example is

that of tomatoes. Although being a fruit, tomatoes are used to cook, therefore put with

vegetable at grocery stores. The same concept can be done with human. Let’s take

mental illnesses for example. A psychiatric facility can be home to psychopaths and to

people suffering from depression. A person that generalize will say that all the patients

from such facility are “mentally ill” whereas some are just there for emotional based

temporary issues. The latter example will go under the definition of stereotype given in

our textbook. However, an example of prejudice will be the hate toward people that look

Middle Eastern for the reasons that they are all labeled as terrorists. To answer the

question of how generalizations can contribute to stereotypes and prejudice, we can say

that generalization is fueled by such things, and in the end, it is all a matter of liking,

disliking or judging a person or group of person. Generalization itself, just like

stereotyping is not always bad, however its nature will depend on the nature of its core

principle, and those are stereotypes, bias, prejudice, bigotry or discrimination.

2-Find and review a resource on formulating effective interview questions

I have decided to perform a personal interview with Moustafa Siklawi, a second

generation, American born and raised Lebanese American. Moustafa has a Bachelor of

Science in Aviation, and is a plane pilot. However, he couldn’t not find a job after

graduation. Could this be because he is Muslim or because of the lack of connections

needed to get started in aviation field? The Resource I have selected to use is from the

University Of Texas A&M, written based on the research of Dr. Michael Genzuk for the

Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research at the University of Southern California.

I believe this is a good resource because of the background of Dr. Michael, but because it

is oriented toward ethnographic research. According to Dr. Michael, “there is no recipe

for effective interviewing”. However, it is mentioned in the resource that there are a

number of special ethical concerns to be aware of before beginning (2003).

3-Questions to ask during the personal interview

1.Do you think you could not find a job as a pilot after graduation because you are

Lebanese American or Muslim to be more specific? –Biased

2. How would you describe your life growing up as a second generation Lebanese

American in a culturally rich house?-Unbiased

3. You are a veteran of the US Army, how did the people around you react when

they found out? -Unbiased

4. Can you describe a day where you were confronted with a situation that was

against your cultural or religious belief? –Unbiased

5. How would you describe the life as a Middle Eastern in America before 9/11?

And After 9/11? –Unbiased

6. Does the Arab American Museum based in Dearborn, Michigan, give a good

history lesson about Arab Americans living here? –Unbiased

References:
Genzuk: A Synthesis of Ethnographic Research. (2016). Www-bcf.usc.edu. Retrieved 15

July 2016, from http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~genzuk/Ethnographic_Research.html

Koppelman, K. (2014). Understanding human differences. Boston: Pearson.

Tips for writing good interview questions: - Texas A&M University-Commerce. (2016).

Tamuc.edu. Retrieved 15 July 2016, from

http://www.tamuc.edu/academics/colleges/humanitiessocialsciencesarts/

departments/literatureLanguages/firstYearWriting/interviewQuestions.aspx