Stereotyping is the act of holding or promoting generalized and oversimplified beliefs about members of a group. These beliefs are called stereotypes. They commonly involve personality traits, physical appearance, and types of behavior. In many cases, the use of stereotypes is unfair and harmful. Some people hold negative stereotypes about others based on such characteristics as ethnicity, lifestyle, race, sex, and sexual orientation. Common negative stereotypes include the mistaken beliefs that women are overly emotional and that African Americans are lazy.
Whenever individuals are organized into groups, people expect group members to share some common qualities. For example, an observer might classify basketball players as tall or children as lively. Such general observations become stereotypes when they are exaggerated and applied to all members of a group without regard to individual characteristics. Stereotypes can provide a basis for prejudice. Prejudice involves unfair negative attitudes or feelings directed at members of a group.
Numerous cultural, sociological, and psychological factors affect the creation and maintenance of stereotypes. Television programs, motion pictures, and other mass media presentations can influence popular beliefs about certain groups. Families and peer groups are probably the most important sources of children’s attitudes toward other groups.
