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Where do stereotypes come from?
For example, where did the stereotype that men don't like to ask for directions come from? Is there a historical, literary, Biblical, or other kind of source that would give someone this idea? If the stereotype is based on the fact that the majority of men really don't like to ask for directions, then might we assume that stereotypes are oftentimes true, and that we can judge books by their covers.
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I really think that some stereotypes are leftover immature thinking. One of the major developmental tasks faced by very young children is to organize their brains. So they are driven to categorize things, which is why toddlers will call all animals "cows" or "dogs". They go from global to specific as they grow.
I think that this is a natural tendency, but then as other tasks crowd in, perhaps this task isn't fully finished. And those initial large categorizations don't get broken down. Or maybe the child never has further experiences that help him break it down further.
And then, when this is the experience of large groups of people, based on their culture, they start talking and realize others think the same thing. Thus, young girls who are exasperated at their guys for making them late for something say "He just wouldn't stop to ask for directions!" and others there think "yeah, my guy did that just last week...it must be that *all* guys are like that!" and a stereotype is perpetuated.
For what it's worth, I think this one maybe had its roots in the pop culture phenomenon of the cowboy/pioneer craze of the 40's and 40's, paralleling the rise of space exploration. The theme in all was "exploration", and I think a lot of guys of that era wanted to fantasize about being explorers. And stopping to ask directions would interrupt the fantasy. And younger men still pay the price...
I think that this is a natural tendency, but then as other tasks crowd in, perhaps this task isn't fully finished. And those initial large categorizations don't get broken down. Or maybe the child never has further experiences that help him break it down further.
And then, when this is the experience of large groups of people, based on their culture, they start talking and realize others think the same thing. Thus, young girls who are exasperated at their guys for making them late for something say "He just wouldn't stop to ask for directions!" and others there think "yeah, my guy did that just last week...it must be that *all* guys are like that!" and a stereotype is perpetuated.
For what it's worth, I think this one maybe had its roots in the pop culture phenomenon of the cowboy/pioneer craze of the 40's and 40's, paralleling the rise of space exploration. The theme in all was "exploration", and I think a lot of guys of that era wanted to fantasize about being explorers. And stopping to ask directions would interrupt the fantasy. And younger men still pay the price...
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Have you ever heard that there's some truth to every stereotype? Well, there's some truth to that statement. Stereotypes come from one or two perceptions of one culture on another, and they spread. Sometimes they change slightly, become more general, or become exaggerated. Over time, the targeted culture becomes **offended** by the perceptions, or doesn't want to admit any truth to them, and it becomes known as a "stereotype" (along with all of the negative connotations that are attached to that word by society).
Take for instance the "stereotype" that blacks love chicken -- that has been a perception based upon the inexpensive-ness of chickens and chicken meat, compared to other kinds of meat (allowed lower-income families to eat for less money if they ate chicken). But it only became a stereotype because some blacks found it offensive. I never knew why it is offensive to say that another person likes chicken, but there you have it.
Take for instance the "stereotype" that blacks love chicken -- that has been a perception based upon the inexpensive-ness of chickens and chicken meat, compared to other kinds of meat (allowed lower-income families to eat for less money if they ate chicken). But it only became a stereotype because some blacks found it offensive. I never knew why it is offensive to say that another person likes chicken, but there you have it.
This is spot-on. I am amazed at how many cultures latch on to one item that they like and assume that everyone else doesn't like it and consider it an insult to even mention it. Fried chicken has been my favorite food since I was old enough to ask for a "drumstick". That would have been around 1942.
I would rather have fried chicken, cream gravy and mashed potatos than a sirloin steak. I never knew a person of any ethnicity that objected to me talking about fried chicken when I was in high school and college.
It was well into the '90s before anyone at work was offended by me mentioning "How about fried chicken for lunch." To this good day when I want fried chicken for lunch, KFC or Pop Eyes, I can only ask my white friends, or my friends from Europe, the middle East, or the far East. I just don't get it.
I would rather have fried chicken, cream gravy and mashed potatos than a sirloin steak. I never knew a person of any ethnicity that objected to me talking about fried chicken when I was in high school and college.
It was well into the '90s before anyone at work was offended by me mentioning "How about fried chicken for lunch." To this good day when I want fried chicken for lunch, KFC or Pop Eyes, I can only ask my white friends, or my friends from Europe, the middle East, or the far East. I just don't get it.
My answer is : Many similar first impressions.
Jim Cornish's answer:
"As soon as we begin to learn, were are taught to classify; that is to sort objects and place them in groups. This is fine for objects like coloured blocks, but not for people. When people are grouped, it is called stereotyping.
The word stereotype comes from process of printing newspapers and books not so long ago when metal plates are used to create an picture. When applied to people, the word stereotyping means an instant picture of a person or a group of people. This stereotype is often based on misinformation or incorrect attitudes or opinions.
Where Do Stereotypes Come From?
Believe it or not, we are exposed to stereotyping at a very early age. The earliest example is dressing children in colours; pink for girls and blue for boys. Other stereotypes are associated with the fairy tales books read to us or the first toys purchased; boys getting trucks and girls
getting dolls, are familiar examples.
Stereotypes are often used on television shows like cartoons to create comedy and situation comedies to create characters. They are also used in advertising to sell toys, cars, and just about everything else. What
stereotype is being portrayed in the graphic to the right?
Stereotypes are also passed on from adults to their children through comments made about people and places. Adults believe stereotypes because they are exposed to the same books, television shows and advertising as children.
What Problems Are Caused By Stereotyping?
Stereotyping is very damaging. Since stereotypes are often accepted as truths, they lead to beliefs about individuals and groups of people. They can even lead to mistaken beliefs about ourselves. Stereotyping can affect your judgments of people or individuals (how we view them). It can lead to discrimination, that is letting or not letting people do or not do something
based on their colour, gender or religion). In which ever way it occurs, stereotyping damages self-image and self-esteem (our views of our-selves)."
Jim Cornish's answer:
"As soon as we begin to learn, were are taught to classify; that is to sort objects and place them in groups. This is fine for objects like coloured blocks, but not for people. When people are grouped, it is called stereotyping.
The word stereotype comes from process of printing newspapers and books not so long ago when metal plates are used to create an picture. When applied to people, the word stereotyping means an instant picture of a person or a group of people. This stereotype is often based on misinformation or incorrect attitudes or opinions.
Where Do Stereotypes Come From?
Believe it or not, we are exposed to stereotyping at a very early age. The earliest example is dressing children in colours; pink for girls and blue for boys. Other stereotypes are associated with the fairy tales books read to us or the first toys purchased; boys getting trucks and girls
getting dolls, are familiar examples.
Stereotypes are often used on television shows like cartoons to create comedy and situation comedies to create characters. They are also used in advertising to sell toys, cars, and just about everything else. What
stereotype is being portrayed in the graphic to the right?
Stereotypes are also passed on from adults to their children through comments made about people and places. Adults believe stereotypes because they are exposed to the same books, television shows and advertising as children.
What Problems Are Caused By Stereotyping?
Stereotyping is very damaging. Since stereotypes are often accepted as truths, they lead to beliefs about individuals and groups of people. They can even lead to mistaken beliefs about ourselves. Stereotyping can affect your judgments of people or individuals (how we view them). It can lead to discrimination, that is letting or not letting people do or not do something
based on their colour, gender or religion). In which ever way it occurs, stereotyping damages self-image and self-esteem (our views of our-selves)."
source(s):
© Prepared by Jim Cornish, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, 2003.
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/hc_stereotyping.pdf
© Prepared by Jim Cornish, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, 2003.
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/hc_stereotyping.pdf
Stereotypes come from oft-observed truths. Obviously, not all stereotypes are accurate for all people. But most stereotypes derive from some truth. People notice a similar action or trait from one group of people and begin to associate that group of people with that thing, whether or not all people from that group do it.
Other times, they are derived from racism. For example, you could say that all black people love chicken. This is a stereotype that has a lot of basis since most of the black people I've met love chicken. If, however, you said that all black people are great runners. This would be a stereotype derived from a racist attitude. People who get angry that so many black athletes succeed in the Olympics and in sports start these stereotypes with negative connotations and they eventually come to be accepted if they are even close to relatively true.
They are a sad thing, but often accurate for at least some portion of the target.
Other times, they are derived from racism. For example, you could say that all black people love chicken. This is a stereotype that has a lot of basis since most of the black people I've met love chicken. If, however, you said that all black people are great runners. This would be a stereotype derived from a racist attitude. People who get angry that so many black athletes succeed in the Olympics and in sports start these stereotypes with negative connotations and they eventually come to be accepted if they are even close to relatively true.
They are a sad thing, but often accurate for at least some portion of the target.
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype:
"A stereotype is a generalized perception of first impressions: behaviors presumed by a group of people judging with the eyes/criticizing ones outer appearance (or a population in general) to be associated with another specific group."
I agree with this statement! To stereotype is to be ignorant of the truth. Everything is equal under the eyes of the law and God. So, I think that way too.
"A stereotype is a generalized perception of first impressions: behaviors presumed by a group of people judging with the eyes/criticizing ones outer appearance (or a population in general) to be associated with another specific group."
I agree with this statement! To stereotype is to be ignorant of the truth. Everything is equal under the eyes of the law and God. So, I think that way too.
I think that the stereotype of blacks as lazy came from the days of slavery, when blacks intentionally worked as slowly as they could get away with to exact a subtle revenge on their masters.
source(s):
The American Pageant, 13th edition
The American Pageant, 13th edition
As other people have mentioned before stereotypes are common associations (i.e. the irish are heavy drinkers; jews are cheap) that have developed over time for a particular race, religion, or ethnicity. I would have to agree that most stereotypes are true. The real issue with stereotypes is how they are used. Unfortunately many are used in a negative manner that is meant to degrade an individual or group. Most everyone so far has singled out blacks as an example of a stereotype. Every person can be linked to some stereotype. Individuals need to have a stereotype to understand that which they don't know. The key is that the individual needs to be able to let go of that stereotype as they begin to get to know individuals they have met.
I like TV shows like Family Guy or SNL that poke fun at stereotypes. The more we can laugh AT stereotypes the less of an effect they will have. If someone uses a stereotype in a negative manner then they are just ignorant.
I like TV shows like Family Guy or SNL that poke fun at stereotypes. The more we can laugh AT stereotypes the less of an effect they will have. If someone uses a stereotype in a negative manner then they are just ignorant.
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