Stereotypes

• What does stereotype mean?

  a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
• why is steryotyping a form of social categorisation

  People attribute group features to individuals (stereotyping) and they—less strongly—generalize individual features to the group. The strength of these two kinds of inductive inferences depends on a priori assumptions about the homogeneity of the group.
• how do stereotypes impact pur beliefs and actions?

  Stereotypes are, in fact, “short cuts” taken unconsciously to help people make decisions more easily and quickly, hence the tendency to unthinkingly accept them. Stereotypes are preconceived ideas and simplistic images that have a negative influence on the way we see people, interact with them and treat them.
• Just world phenomena


  Stereotypical beliefs:

  • diminishes our empathy for those who don’t conform to social norms
  • increase perception of deservedness and blame due to personal characteristics
  • causes us to disregard the historical and systemic factors that these groups face which put them in this example.
• self fulfilling prophecy

  Stereotypes can influence how people interact with one another, creating an environment where individuals conform to the roles expected of them.

  Stereotypes can shape access to opportunities, which can lead to outcomes that confirm the stereotypes.
• Justification of social roles 


  Stereotypes create and maintain expectations about how individuals should behave based on their identity.

  stereotypical beliefs can make social inequalities seem natural or deserved
• What is a stereotype threat?

  The fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one's own social group which often impacts their performance/actions