Stereotyping is actually NOT bad. It's actually a survival mechanism and when used correctly it can simplify or even save our life. It can be BAD when it is the ONLY means you use to judge people. I took a prejudice class so this is how my professor explained it:
Stereotyping is the root of racism/colorism/ageism/sexism anything ending in ism. Stereotyping can lead to prejudice and prejudice can lead to discrimination. Imagine the three steps like this:
1. You notice that usually people who wear black are goths and that you usually don't have anything in common with these people.
2. You do not talk EVER to any people who wear black on the assumption that they are too different from you.
3. There are rumors going around that the goth kid killed someone. Because you have never gotten to know the goth kid you find it easy to hate him and you join in a mob to beat him up.
That, my friend, is where discrimination comes from. In the name of discrimination some of the worst crimes against humanity have been commited. Religious persecution, holocausts, lynch mobs, slavery, racial wars, genocide, eugenics, segregation, etc. It ALL started with stereotypes.
BUT stereotyping by itself IS a good thing. Stereotyping is a natural protection. We don't just sterotype people we stereotype objects. Without it we would have to keep relearning that fire is hot and cars are dangerous. We just don't have the mental energy to keep relearning what everything is for. This is why when you are under pressure you think more stereotypical thoughts. When you are running late for work and are afraid you are going to be fired is when you just know the driver ahead of you is an old person.
We can't and never should eliminate stereotyping but we should strive to not rely on it entirely. We have brains and intelligence for a reason. The next time you find yourself thinking a generalization STOP and actually make the effort to get to know the person you are sterotyping instead of making dangerous assumptions.
There are SOME people of a certain group that act a certain way and bingo! Next thing you know, people are attributing the actions of some to all.... I think it's better to get to know people one on one and then make you judgments about them, rather than just throwing a label on a complete stranger ..... but that's just me, lol ;-)
Ignorant people see one person doing something and they assume everyone who looks like it does something. They're very useful when you want to justify your senseless hatred for a particular group.
If you don't like whites and you can't figure out why, all you have to do is head on over to a trailer park. Then you get to say "That's why I hate them! They're all racist, inbred, redneck trash!"
Likewise if you don't like blacks and you can't figure out why, all you have to do is head on over to a ghetto. Then you get to say "That's why I hate them! They're all criminals on welfare with 6 baby daddies and 10lb weaves!"
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Here is the process:
Stereotyping is actually NOT bad. It's actually a survival mechanism and when used correctly it can simplify or even save our life. It can be BAD when it is the ONLY means you use to judge people. I took a prejudice class so this is how my professor explained it:
Stereotyping is the root of racism/colorism/ageism/sexism anything ending in ism. Stereotyping can lead to prejudice and prejudice can lead to discrimination. Imagine the three steps like this:
1. You notice that usually people who wear black are goths and that you usually don't have anything in common with these people.
2. You do not talk EVER to any people who wear black on the assumption that they are too different from you.
3. There are rumors going around that the goth kid killed someone. Because you have never gotten to know the goth kid you find it easy to hate him and you join in a mob to beat him up.
That, my friend, is where discrimination comes from. In the name of discrimination some of the worst crimes against humanity have been commited. Religious persecution, holocausts, lynch mobs, slavery, racial wars, genocide, eugenics, segregation, etc. It ALL started with stereotypes.
BUT stereotyping by itself IS a good thing. Stereotyping is a natural protection. We don't just sterotype people we stereotype objects. Without it we would have to keep relearning that fire is hot and cars are dangerous. We just don't have the mental energy to keep relearning what everything is for. This is why when you are under pressure you think more stereotypical thoughts. When you are running late for work and are afraid you are going to be fired is when you just know the driver ahead of you is an old person.
We can't and never should eliminate stereotyping but we should strive to not rely on it entirely. We have brains and intelligence for a reason. The next time you find yourself thinking a generalization STOP and actually make the effort to get to know the person you are sterotyping instead of making dangerous assumptions.
How Do Stereotypes Form
There are SOME people of a certain group that act a certain way and bingo! Next thing you know, people are attributing the actions of some to all.... I think it's better to get to know people one on one and then make you judgments about them, rather than just throwing a label on a complete stranger ..... but that's just me, lol ;-)
The stereotype is kept going by tv It saves time if you can instantly know all lot about the character, give them an accent
Ignorant people see one person doing something and they assume everyone who looks like it does something. They're very useful when you want to justify your senseless hatred for a particular group.
If you don't like whites and you can't figure out why, all you have to do is head on over to a trailer park. Then you get to say "That's why I hate them! They're all racist, inbred, redneck trash!"
Likewise if you don't like blacks and you can't figure out why, all you have to do is head on over to a ghetto. Then you get to say "That's why I hate them! They're all criminals on welfare with 6 baby daddies and 10lb weaves!"
Wow, Nonya killed it (again, lol). You go girl.
when lazy people categorize whole groups of people and take advantage of fear instead of trying to promote unity and peace
by misconceptions, trends on past generations carried over to the new, hasty generalizations, and actual and real trends.
Stereotypes breed from all of those.
EDIT:
Nonya, gets my vote.
most are based on sme form of the truth, and people dont like that