Stereotypes are not a secret. Everyone develops them in one way or another and uses them in their social interactions. These generalizations, both positive and negative, about one or more characteristics of a group ("stereotypes") have existed in all modern and historical societies. The husband in Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" interacts with Robert based on stereotypes formed from social norms and media representations of people with disabilities. He treats Robert negatively at first based on these prejudices, but as he gets to know Robert he redevelops his stereotypes and interacts with Robert in more positive ways. Munyi, from Kenyatta University, says in "Past and Present Perceptions of Disability: A Historical Perspective" that fear, ignorance and superstition are among the many social factors that have led to the development of stereotypes and prejudices against people. with regard to people with disabilities. Throughout history, people with disabilities have been considered possessed by the devil, inferior, witches, powerless, etc. and were therefore isolated due to the negative opinions held towards them. These perceptions develop from childhood, because children are particularly vulnerable to the opinions passed down by their parents and the social norms of the time (Munyi). The media also has a strong influence on stereotypes. Children and other serious television viewers undoubtedly imbibe the opinions projected onto them by the media (Farnall and Smith). Particularly because few "normal", non-disabled people frequently interact with people with disabilities, stereotypes are heavily used and rarely change from community to community (Munyi). Furthermore, when it comes to blind people, many stereotypes, especially negative stereotypes, arise from generalizations formed... middle of article...... Program Office. np, July 7, 2011. Web. April 15, 2014. “How to communicate with someone who is blind.” » Chicago Lighthouse. chicagolighthouse.org. 2014. Web. April 20, 2014. Kemp, NJ. “Social psychological aspects of blindness: a review.” » Current Psychological Reviews 1.1 (1981): Web. March 27, 2014. Munyi, Chomba Wa. “Past and Present Perceptions of Disability: A Historical Perspective.” » Disability Studies Quarterly 32.2 (2012): p. , CL, D Scattone and Kim KH Kim. “Ethnic origin and the stigmatization of disabilities”. Psychology and Health 16.6 (2001): 709-712 Web. Smith, Eliot and Diane Mackie “Changing Stereotypes”. : Overcoming prejudice to reduce prejudice. "Social Psychology: Third Edition. London: Psychology Press, 2007. 176-181. psypress.co.uk. Web. April 14, 2014. "Stereotypes. " Changingminds.org. np, 2013 Web April 20. 2014.