Stereotyping

Stereotyping

By

ABSTRACTII

STEREOTYPING1

INTRODUCTION1

DIFFERENT FORMS OF STEREOTYPING1

THE TRUTH BEHIND STEREOTYPES1

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STEREOTYPING2

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF STEREOTYPES3

APPLICATION OF RESISTANCE TO STEREOTYPES3

STEREOTYPES ARE AIDS TO EXPLANATION4

STEREOTYPES ARE ENERGY SAVING DEVICES5

STEREOTYPES ARE SHARED GROUP BELIEFS8

STEREOTYPES AS PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTS10

CONCLUSION10

REFERENCES12

Stereotyping

Introduction

In general, stereotyping is defined as formulaic, conventional, and over simplified image, opinion or conception. Stereotyping is regarded as conforming or embodying to a type or set image. In actual, a stereotype was a plate of metal that was involved in the process of printing. Once it was struck with an image, the imprint became permanent. Generally, stereotyping is associated with misleading, erroneous or prejudicial view of social groups. Due to this reason, stereotyping is generally considered as adverse, and that it has serious harmful impact on lives of individuals. This can be noted that almost all humans take part in particular amount of stereotyping, whether it is from ideas or values that are passed down to them from the generations, views they have made through their own thought process.

Different Forms of Stereotyping

One type of stereotyping that we commonly observe in our families is about gender roles. The traditional gender roles that are observed in family's typecast place of women in home and men as the sole provider of the family. The boys are raised learning to shoot guns and hunt and are promoted strongly to take part in sport activities in their colleges and schools. Whereas, young girls are encouraged to take part in “girly” activities and they are not encouraged to play outside their homes or to take part in any sport activity in their school and colleges. Other types of stereotypes include people who are grouped on the basis of their class, actions, beliefs etc (Katz, 1935, pp. 175).

The Truth behind Stereotypes

Stereotypes were made on suppositions without any proof. On the other hand, most of the stereotypes come actively with truths that leak into the surface. There are some relevant facts about stereotypes that have been observed in a certain group. This is mainly the most difficult feature of stereotyping. Due to this, many individuals involve in stereotypes without any choice as they believe that they are telling truth. Nevertheless, some politicians are deceitful and some tattooed individuals are definitely dishonest. And many individuals can observe that feminists are mainly radicals whereas senior citizens lack humour and are very slow. On the other hand, it would be correct to place all individuals who use those labels in a single group as there are many individuals that can come under those categories, who raise a ration of unforeseen. Therefore, when applying stereotypes; truth must not be used, as truth is always encompassing and whole. Clearly, stereotypes deal not with the complete portion; however with some of the portion, therefore there is not any reality of stereotypes (Hilton, 1996, pp.237).

The Negative Effects of Stereotyping

There can be devastating effects of stereotyping. Stereotypes start with a spark and finish with an overwhelming fire. This can be very hard for an individual to escape from the ...