Avoid Labeling or Stigmatizing Instead of saying " hyperactive children ." say "children who display hyperactivity" Instead of saying "depressives are more likely to.," say "people with depression are more likely to." or "people with depressive symptomology are more likely to." or "people who meet the criteria for clinical depression are more likely to." In this way the person is not labeled as a "depressive" or as "hyper" but are people with symptoms or people with a characteristic. No one is just the sum of their disorder so careful wording helps avoid encouraging that perception. Avoid Use of the Generic "He" or even "He/She" pronouns Instead, use "They" or "Their" *Avoid Sexist Assumptions in Your Research and Writing Gender and racial assumptions can be subtle and unintended, yet should be avoided. For example, if a study on leadership defines leadership in terms of dominance or aggression which are stereotypical ideas of what makes up male leadership, and then males are hypothesized to be stronger leaders. See the problem? 1. Computer programmers are known to neglect their wives and children. What is wrong: Better Wording: 2. Twenty disabled people were interviewed for this study. What is wrong with saying "disabled people": Better Wording: 3. The focus of this study is a rape victim. What is wrong with the term "rape victim": Better Wording: 4. Schizophrenics display both delusions and hallucinations. What is Wrong with the term "schizophrenics": Better Wording: 5. The ladies and men completed surveys. What is Wrong with the use of "ladies and men": Better Wording: