Do we all let sterotypes fuel our views?

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

I'd go as far as saying that Stereotypes are quite important.

In my job there is a stereotype of fighter pilots as being ego filled, arragant and brash, and when I go to brief a room of such pilots I will pre-prepare it in a way that reflects this view. This is so that I can cater to the majority of the room when I get there, because most of them ARE that!

I have a hangover, and that's the only example I can give right now (because a fast jet pilot just walked past talking loudly and hurt my head, and that reminded me! )

 

[teamcharlie]

Generalizations don't necessarily cross into stereotype territory all the time. For example: if I hear about somebody who people say is a lawyer, I expect that they have a relatively high level of literacy and a better understanding of the law than the average citizen. Not 100% accurate for every lawyer, but a reasonable assumption nonetheless. As to how many stereotypes and what kind you apply to people you don't know, that probably depends on your background, your mood, the amount of time you've spent with other members of the group the individual you're considering belongs to, and how much thought you're willing to put into imagining him/her as a whole person instead of a cartoon.

This is not to condemn people who think in terms of stereotypes: your mind is your mind and you can't always control what it does. But I certainly don't think that in every case it's necessary to stereotype even as a shorthand.

 

[Call me Baz]

Stereotypes are guided by what is known as our schemata. This is our world view, that is affected by our past experiences and shared knowledge.

When we first meet someone, our brains search for a schemata in order to provide you with topics of communication. Ever wondered why it feels kinda awkward to not be talking to someone next to you for an extended period of time? We're social creatures, and you have either exhausted, or consciously blocked your schemata for that person, and suddenly have nothing to talk about when your mind assumes there should be interaction.

Say you hear a refined accent from a stranger in a vacant public place. You might assume he or she is a professional, well educated and (depending on where this public place is) either local or non-local. These immediately give you conversation topics ("Do you work for a law firm/bank", "Which university did you go to", "What brings you to this area", etc).

It's stereotyping, but everyone does it. EVERYONE. Stereotyping just has a negative connotation because when people used to stereotype those that were stigmatised, it was named stereotyping and uneducated or ignorant people (in true definition sense, not being rude to anyone here) believe that the stigmatisation is attributed to that action.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Stereotypes, as has been mentioned, are actually how we organize our world into manageable chunks of info. Using stereotypes to discriminate and mistreat people is definitely not cool, but after working in sales for 4+ years I can tell you that they're super useful. I sold residential cable, internet, and phone service for Comcast and seeing sports paraphernalia all over a house was usually a good cue that I could talk about the sports package as an add-on. Fantasy books on the shelf? See if they want HBO so they can watch Game of Thrones. You get the idea. Stereotypes are not inherently good or bad, but simply means of organization. How we use them is really where it matters.

 

[Jacco]

I personally use stereotypes to color my world until someone gives me a reason not to.

They exist for a reason and to dismiss them simply because they are generalizations is foolish and asinine.

If a black guy is wearing pants down to his ankles, I'm going to assume he's a gangsta until he gives me a reason not to. If a white girl is talking on her phone in a valley accent about a guy she fucked, I'm going to assume she's a clubber. They may very well not be either of those things, but it's entirely legitimate to assume they are what they present themselves.

THAT BEING SAID.

It is not legitimate to use stereotypes as an excuse to oppress or otherwise discriminate against that group. If you don't even give the black guy who's wearing pants down to his ankles to speak to you and show you he's articulate, then there is a problem.