Why do people stereotype others?
Even though stereotyping can be very negative, people do still feel the need to use stereotypes and labels in society.
Think first
Can you think of any reasons why people may stereotype others? If you have ever used stereotypes, why did you do this? Make some notes in the box below before you move on.
Now click on the images below to find out more.
Stereotypes help us to make sense of the world
People may use stereotypes to help them make sense of the world around them and feel safe. For example, we may use stereotypes and generalisations based on past experiences to quickly make judgements, form opinions and make decisions in certain situations.
Example
Leonie has an assumption that people who are drunk are angry and dangerous. If she is ever around people who are drunk, she is very cautious and tries to get away as soon as possible. Even though many drunk people are not at all angry or dangerous, the label allows Leonie to make a quick decision about her behaviour and actions and to feel safe in the situation.
Stereotypes help us to fit in
When a person belongs to a particular social group, sharing and applying the same stereotypes as the rest of the group can help them to fit into the group and be accepted. These stereotypes help the group to form a common identity based on shared views and opinions.
For example, if members of a group dislike football and talk about professional footballers as being greedy and lazy, a new member of the group may choose to accept and adopt these views. By showing that they also believe these stereotypes, the new group member is likely to be accepted quickly by other members of the group as they share the same views. When we are valued and included in a group, it increases our self-esteem and makes us feel good about ourselves.
If you are a part of a social group and you challenge the group’s accepted stereotypes, the group may think that you do not belong as you have different opinions to them.
Key point
The desire to fit in, feel good about yourself and make sense of the world are all reasons why we may stereotype and label others. However, in today’s society, we need to go beyond stereotypes and look at the individuals in more detail – this helps us to develop a deeper understanding of a person and build positive relationships with others.