Question

A 'stereotype' is:

• A. A printing technique
• B. A type of a mass media
• C. Forming beliefs about a certain group
• D. To insult someone

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

A stereotype is a simplified, generalized, and often rigid belief or assumption about a particular group of people, culture, or thing. It is typically based on limited information, preconceived notions, or societal biases rather than individual reality.

Key Characteristics:

• Overgeneralization: Assigns uniform traits to an entire group, ignoring individual differences (e.g., "All [X] are [Y]").
• Cognitive Bias: Reflects mental shortcuts that can lead to unfair judgments.
• Persistent: Resistant to change even when contradicted by evidence.
• Can be positive or negative: Though often harmful (e.g., racial/gender stereotypes), some may seem superficially "neutral" (e.g., "All Germans are punctual").

Examples:

• Cultural: "Americans are loud."
• Gender: "Women are bad at math."
• Profession: "Artists are disorganized."

Impact:

• Reinforces prejudice and discrimination.
• Limits opportunities by shaping expectations (e.g., in hiring or education).
• Reduces individuality by masking personal traits.