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When Mrs. Avery enters the veterinary clinic, Angela says to the receptionist, Oh here comes Mrs. Avery. She must be 100 years old. It's going to take her forever to complete this form. Angela is voicing which of the following?

A. Prejudice
B. Empathy
C. Sympathy
D. Respect

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Angela is demonstrating prejudice by making an ageist assumption about Mrs. Avery's speed at completing paperwork in the clinic without considering her individual abilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Angela says, "Oh here comes Mrs. Avery. She must be 100 years old. It's going to take her forever to complete this form," she is revealing her personal biases and expectations about elderly people. In this case, Angela's remark is an example of prejudice.

Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or feelings, either favorable or unfavorable, that are not based on actual experience or reason. Ageism, a form of prejudice, involves making assumptions about someone's abilities or characteristics purely because of their age without considering their individual capabilities or situation. In the scenario provided, Angela assumes that Mrs. Avery will be slow to complete the form simply because she perceives her to be very old, a sentiment that reflects ageist attitudes and biases that can marginalize older adults.

This unfair judgment demonstrates a lack of empathy and stands contrary to what would be respectful behavior. Empathy would involve Angela considering how Mrs. Avery might feel being in the clinic and needing help, rather than jumping to conclusions about her speed or ability. Sympathy might involve understanding that Mrs. Avery could experience difficulty and offering assistance, while respect includes treating her with dignity regardless of age-related stereotypes.

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