Stereotype
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Stereotypes generalized ideas and representations held about members of particular groups, based primarily on membership in that group. They may be positive or negative prejudicial, and may be used to justify certain discriminatory behaviours. Some people consider all stereotypes to be negative. Stereotypes are rarely completely accurate, based on some kernel of truth, or fabriacted out of whole cloth.
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Description
Stereotypes are assumed characteristics on a large group of individuals whose beliefs, habits, a.
Stereotype production can be based on
- Simplification
- Exaggeration
- Generalization
- Presentation of cultural attributes as being 'natural'
- Unshakable belief in stability of stereotype
- Racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination
- Historical factors
- Guilt by association
- Can be beneficial or harmful
Stereotypes are seen by many as undesirable beliefs imposed to justify the acts of discrimination and oppression. It is thought that education and/or familiarization can change these misbeliefs. Other negative effects are:
- justification of ill-founded prejudices or ignorance
- unwillingness to rethink one's attitudes and behavior towards stereotyped group
- self-fulfilling prophecy for both stereotyping and stereotyped group (white people treat black people in a more hostile way because they are afraid of them; black people accordingly react more aggressively, thus confirming the stereotype...)
Unhealthy stereotypes can be negative or positive, even for the same group: Black men are generally supposed to be good musicians and basketball players, but at the same time seen as aggressive, prone to lives of crime, and likely to be on drugs. The effects of stereotypes can have positive and negative effects: Students who were implicitly made aware of their gender behaved as the stereotype suggested:
Asian-American women performed better in math tests when being aware of being Asian, and did worse when being reminded of being women.[1]
Stereotyping can also be created by the media, showing an incorrect judgment of a culture or place.
Often the terms stereotype and prejudice are confused:
- Stereotypes are a generalization of characteristics; they reduce complexity, provide stability, and offer opportunities to identify oneself with others.
- Prejudices are either an abstract-general preconception or an attitude towards individuals.
Stereotypes of groups
Common stereotypes include a variety of allegations about groups based on age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, dis/ability, profession, sexual orientation, race, religious belief, size, physical appearance, social class (see social stereotype). Stereotypes can also be based on individual impairments.
Stereotypes in culture
Stereotypes are common in the world of drama, where the term is often used as a form of dramatic shorthand for "stock character". In literature and art, stereotypes are clichéd or predictable characters or situations. For example, the stereotypical devil is a red, impish character with horns, bifurcated tail, and a trident, whilst the stereotypical salesman is a slickly-dressed, fast-talking individual who cannot usually be trusted. The Italian commedia dell'arte was known for its stock characters and stock situations, which could be considered drama stereotypes. Throughout history, storytellers have drawn from stereotypical characters and situations, in order to quickly connect the audience with new tales. Sometimes such stereotypes can be very complex and sophisticated, such as Shakespeare's Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.
The instantly recognisable nature of stereotypes mean that they are very useful in producing effective advertising and situation comedy. Media stereotypes change and evolve over time - for instance, we now instantly recognize only a few of the stereotyped characters shown to us in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress.
