Question

Explain why stereotypes are formed and used.

Answer 1

A stereotype is defined as a mental representation. It is a form of social categorization made about specific individuals or a group and its members. Once a set of characteristics is used to describe a group of people, those characteristics are often attributed to all members of the group, thus affecting the behaviour of the people or individual who hold the stereotype, and those who are labelled by a stereotype. It is formed because of the following reasons:

• Once you have categorized, you no longer need to consider information about each individual member of the group. You can apply all of the group information to all of its members. It saves time.
• It satisfies the need to understand and predict the social world. You no longer need to wonder what each individual is like (understand), or what he or she is likely to do (predict). All of this is contained in the stereotype.
• It is a way to feel better about yourself