Why do people stereotype?

I noticed a furious debate about stereotyping on one of Killfile's seeds (what it was and how it applied) and I thought it was time to give a fuller explanation than my brief comment there to raise awareness of stereotypes and why they are used.

Stereotypes are used to deal with the unknown on a macro level. When we fear anything, we don't understand it, lack information on it or we wish to feel superior to it, we identify observable characteristics of a few representatives (e.g of a group) and apply them to the whole. It makes everyone in the group seems less threatening or overwhelming and makes the person using the stereotype feel more comfortable and powerful. It is often racist, but it can be sexist, ageist or applied to people with specific political and religious labels like Liberals, Conservatives, Catholics, Muslims etc.

Stereotypes reflect flat, one-dimensional caricatures of people which bear little resemblance to the variety and diversity inherent in any group or race, but they surface all the time in many interactions for easy categorisation and comprehension of social and cultural behaviour. We hear a lot about stereotypes and why we should not use them, but there is nothing wrong with stereotypes, per se. We tend to judge each other by generalisations in order to understand every aspect of life, especially when faced with difference for the first time. It's a kind of shorthand way of addressing new groups without having to note every minute detail about them every moment of the day.

The brain, like any computer, works from the macro to the micro when absorbing information, seeking coherence and order by using the information it already has to sort items and people in the fastest, most stereotyped and efficient way until more data becomes available. At the first, or macro, stage, the only effective way to view people of all ilk is to focus on their similarities, what they are perceived to have in common from our state of ignorance, especially what links them together, whether positive or negative, in order to appreciate their culture/behaviour/perspectives/values, etc.

When more information becomes available, sorting switches to the micro, or individual level, to focus on the differences that set the person or group apart in their own right, and to establish the level of familiarity and comfort in dealing with the strangers/new situations. This automatic second stage process by the brain uses the diferences to assign individual characteristics to a host of original 'sameness' features. Once we appreciate the uniqueness of that individual, we begin to feel more comfortable with them and there is no further need for stereotypes. We tend to accept them as they are and tend to respect their individuality.

Generalised Labels
We are all guilty of using stereotypes at some point because, as a rule, when we have only heard of something different second-hand, and never been exposed to it, we tend to approach it in stereotypic form because we have little data to change our perception until we experience it. We tend to start with certain assumptions about it, based upon our limited knowledge of its background and origin, which then turn into generalised labels to help our understanding of it. These would include the primary differences relating to gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, religion and nationality - the more readily observable characteristics. There's nothing wrong with that state of ignorance until we are educated about it. However, for those who wish to be prejudiced or discriminatory, or who lack confidence in themselves, this is where the process stops. They would then catalogue the group or person into a 'rigid box of acceptance or rejection', dominated by stereotypes and feelings of fear.

So, while it may be wrong to assign something negative across a whole group of people, it becomes offensive as a stereotype ONLY if we know better. When we are more aware of the uniqueness and individuality of the group, yet still persist in classifying those people in stereotypic ways, we are saying a great deal about ourselves. It is also the negative nature of stereotypes that makes them offensive because we really cannot accept a positive stereotype like, "Many African Americans are great athletes"(which appreciates and applauds their prowess), or that "Asians are good academic performers who end up in high status professions" (something which enhances that ethnic group by increasing its social and economic appeal) then react in an aggrieved manner when negative stereotypes are used as well.

The main thing to note about stereotyping is that, If the original perception of difference remains unchanged, despite added knowledge to the contrary, that's where negative stereotypes become damaging and prejudicial. Any further assumptions would be deliberate and used for a particular purpose that is rarely ever meant to be complimentary to that person or group, and is designed mainly to make the perpetrator feel superior - in effect, their own personal derogatory power tool.

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