Stereotypes are ideas held by some individuals about members of particular groups, they are simplified conceptions and judgements. They are often used in a negative or prejudicial sense.
Stereotypes are a result of the need to selectively perceive environment. People notice, remember and store the information that is most noticeable. Stereotypes help to understand and structure the complex world, because they are useful simplifications. They provide stock-information about what to expect and how to act concerning certain groups of people. However, direct contact with members of this group may modify the stereotype by adding more details, until finally the stereotype isn’t true.
Stereotypes often lead to wrong conclusions. It is important to think beyond stereotypes. Nowadays people don’t want to conform to stereotypes. They don’t want to be compared to others, they want to be original and different. …
