Stereotypes

Luka Fiolić

Osnovna škola Odra

 A stereotype is a fixed, over generalized belief about a particular group or

class of people. By stereotyping we infer that a person has a whole range of

characteristics and abilities that we assume all members of that group have.

For example, a “hells angel” biker dresses in leather.

Stereotypes simplify our social surroundings.

One advantage of a stereotype is that it enables us to respond rapidly to

situations because we may have had a similar experience before.

People that we have positive stereotypes for can benifit from them,

because, we will not be able to see their faults. For example. People

usually beleve that the Japanese are polite, obedient and hardworking so

they would employ a Japanese worker over others because of the

stereotype.

One disadvantage is that it makes us ignore differences between

individuals; therefore we think things about people that might not be
true (i.e. make generalizations). And all individuals are not always the
same.

For example, people usually think that that the Travellers (cigani) are
dirty, like to steal, and are not smart, therefore it is hard for them to
enroll to university or get a job.
 Strereotypes are usually based on race, age, gender, profession and so on.

Stereotypes are different from country to country. Croatian people believe that

the Polish are friendly, sociable and good drinkers and the German believe that

they are lazy, noisy, and that they like to steal.

Positive stereotypes are positive characteristic given to a group of people.

For example the Japanese are polite, quiet and hardworking.

Negative stereotypes are negative characteristics given to a group of people.

For example, The Americans are noisy, agressive and rude.