Final answer:
The false statement is 'Only prejudiced individuals stereotype others'. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations that can be held by anyone and don't necessarily indicate individual prejudice. Stereotypes can lead to prejudice, which in turn can result in discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'a. Only prejudiced individuals stereotype others is false. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about groups of people that can be held by anyone, not just those who are overtly prejudiced. In fact, stereotypes can exist without conscious intent and can be internalized and perpetuated by individuals regardless of whether they hold explicit prejudiced beliefs. Prejudice refers to prejudgments about individuals based on their group membership that combine feelings, inclinations to act, and beliefs. Discrimination is the behavior, the unfair treatment of individuals, due to prejudice or stereotypes.
Stereotypes can indeed lead to prejudice if individuals take their generalized beliefs about a group and apply them to judge individuals within that group. However, not all people who stereotype will necessarily act on those beliefs with prejudice or discrimination. Conversely, discrimination can occur even in the absence of conscious prejudice, often influenced by societal norms, structures, or institutional policies.
Prejudice and discrimination are related but are not the exact same thing. One can be prejudiced without actively discriminating, and societal or systemic discrimination can exist even in the absence of individual prejudiced beliefs. As for the connection between stereotyping and discrimination, it's a complex relationship where stereotypes can inform prejudice which in turn can lead to discrimination.