Cognitive schemas that allow for easy and efficient organization of information about people based on their membership in certain groups. go to glossary index
are simplistic conceptions of usually complex and diverse groups of people. Stereotypes are exclusionary. They are sometimes referred to as 'mental cookie cutters' - rigid, inflexible forms that are imposed on but do not reflect reality. Common stereotypes involve gender, sexuality, and race.
The labeling of people and events by using poor or little information, leading to false conclusions.
A stereotype is a preconceived or oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for individual differences. Even when stereotypes are positive, they always have a negative impact and can lead to discrimination.
a belief about an individual or group that is based on an image which may or may not have some truth to it, e.g. British people are not very open
A form of media representation by which instantly recognized characteristics are used to label members of social or cultural groups. While often negative, stereotypes can contain an element of truth and are used by the media to establish an instant rapport with the audience.
Form of representation that reduces people to a few simple, essential characteristics that are represented as fixed by nature. Stereotyping is predicated on the simplistic notion that an individual's membership within any given social group (based on, for instance, class, gender, race, age, or sexuality) invariably predisposes him or her to possess certain personality characteristics, attitudes, or behaviours.
an unvarying form or pattern; specifically, a fixed or conventional notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc., held by a number of people, and allowing for no individuality, critical judgment, etc.; over-simplified images or representations of people or groups of people based on race, gender, occupation, or age, which can be used to justify our popular attitudes and beliefs
The belief that all people of a certain racial, ethnic, or cultural group are the same and behave in the same way.
Often used as a derogatory term for a quickly drawn or 'stock' character, and criticised as lazy or deliberate misrepresentations of people or groups. Actually, stereotypes have a specific function and force in any text, which it is often useful to explore in a reasonably unprejudicial way.
Schemas by which people try to categorize complex groups. Group stereotypes are often negative, especially when applied to minority groups. See also out-group homogeneity effect.
Fixed, unchanging mental images that embrace all that is believed to be typical of members of a given group. When we make use of stereotypes, we categorize people or things without regard for their individual characteristics.