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A '''stereotype''' is a commonly held [[public]] [[belief]] about specific social [[groups]] or [[types]] of [[individuals]]. The [[concepts]] of "stereotype" and "[[prejudice]]" are often [[confused]] with many other [[different]] [[meanings]]. Stereotypes are [[standardized]] and simplified conceptions of [[groups]] based on some prior [[assumptions]]. Generally speaking, stereotypes are not based on objective [[truth]] but rather [[subjective]] and sometimes unverifiable [[content]]-matter.

A '''stereotype''' is a commonly held [[public]] [[belief]] about specific social [[groups]] or [[types]] of [[individuals]]. The [[concepts]] of "stereotype" and "[[prejudice]]" are often [[confused]] with many other [[different]] [[meanings]]. Stereotypes are [[standardized]] and simplified conceptions of [[groups]] based on some prior [[assumptions]]. Generally speaking, stereotypes are not based on objective [[truth]] but rather [[subjective]] and sometimes unverifiable [[content]]-matter.

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

The [[word]] ''stereotype'' (στερεότυπος) [[literally]] means "solid-kind". It was invented by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmin_Didot Firmin Didot] in the world of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing printing]; it was originally a duplicate impression of an [[original]] [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography typographical] element, used for printing instead of the [[original]]. American journalist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Lippmann Walter Lippmann] coined the [[metaphor]], calling a stereotype a "picture in our heads" saying "Whether right or wrong (...) [[imagination]] is shaped by the pictures seen (...) Consequently, they lead to stereotypes that are hard to shake."  In [[fact]], the word [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clich%C3%A9 cliché] and stereotype were both originally printers' [[words]], and in their literal printers' [[meanings]] were synonymous. Specifically, cliché was a French word for the printing [[surface]] for a stereotype. The first [[reference]] to "stereotype", in its modern, [[English]] use was in 1850, in the noun, [[meaning]] "image perpetuated without change".

The [[word]] ''stereotype'' (στερεότυπος) [[literally]] means "solid-kind". It was invented by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmin_Didot Firmin Didot] in the world of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing printing]; it was originally a duplicate impression of an [[original]] [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography typographical] element, used for printing instead of the [[original]]. American journalist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Lippmann Walter Lippmann] coined the [[metaphor]], calling a stereotype a "picture in our heads" saying "Whether right or wrong (...) [[imagination]] is shaped by the pictures seen (...) Consequently, they lead to stereotypes that are hard to shake."  In [[fact]], the word [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clich%C3%A9 cliché] and stereotype were both originally printers' [[words]], and in their literal printers' [[meanings]] were synonymous. Specifically, cliché was a French word for the printing [[surface]] for a stereotype. The first [[reference]] to "stereotype", in its modern, [[English]] use was in 1850, in the noun, [[meaning]] "image perpetuated without change".

The term "stereotype" derives from [[Greek]] στερεός (stereos) "solid, firm" and τύπος (typos) "blow, impression, engraved mark" hence "solid impression". The term, in its modern [[psychology]] sense, was first used by Walter Lippmann in his 1922 work [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Opinion Public Opinion] although in the printing sense it was first coined 1798.

The term "stereotype" derives from [[Greek]] στερεός (stereos) "solid, firm" and τύπος (typos) "blow, impression, engraved mark" hence "solid impression". The term, in its modern [[psychology]] sense, was first used by Walter Lippmann in his 1922 work [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Opinion Public Opinion] although in the printing sense it was first coined 1798.

==Dynamics==

==Dynamics==

[[Sociologists]] [[believe]] that mental categorizing (or labelling) is [[necessary]] and inescapable. One [[perspective]] on how to [[understand]] stereotyping [[process]] is through the categories or ingroups and outgroups. Ingroups are viewed as [[normal]] and superior, and are generally the [[group]] that one [[associates]] with or aspires to join. An outgroup is simply all the other groups. They are seen as lesser or inferior than the ingroups.

[[Sociologists]] [[believe]] that mental categorizing (or labelling) is [[necessary]] and inescapable. One [[perspective]] on how to [[understand]] stereotyping [[process]] is through the categories or ingroups and outgroups. Ingroups are viewed as [[normal]] and superior, and are generally the [[group]] that one [[associates]] with or aspires to join. An outgroup is simply all the other groups. They are seen as lesser or inferior than the ingroups.

A third [[method]] to categorizing stereotypes is general [[types]] and sub-types. Stereotypes consist of [[hierarchical]] [[systems]] consisting of broad and specific [[groups]] being the general types and sub-types respectively. A general type could be defined as a broad stereotype typically known among many people and usually widely accepted, whereas the sub-group would be one of the several groups making up the general group. These would be more specific, and [[opinions]] of these groups would vary according to differing [[perspectives]].

A third [[method]] to categorizing stereotypes is general [[types]] and sub-types. Stereotypes consist of [[hierarchical]] [[systems]] consisting of broad and specific [[groups]] being the general types and sub-types respectively. A general type could be defined as a broad stereotype typically known among many people and usually widely accepted, whereas the sub-group would be one of the several groups making up the general group. These would be more specific, and [[opinions]] of these groups would vary according to differing [[perspectives]].

Certain circumstances can affect the way an [[individual]] stereotypes. For instance: Studies have shown that [[women]] stereotype more negatively than men, and that women read into [[appearance]] more than men. Some [[theorists]] argue in favor of the [[conceptual]] [[connection]] and that one's own [[subjective]] [[thought]] about someone is sufficient [[information]] to make assumptions about that individual. Other [[theorists]] [[argue]] that at minimum there must be a casual [[connection]] between mental [[states]] and [[behavior]] to make [[assumptions]] or stereotypes. Thus results and [[opinions]] may vary according to [[circumstance]] and [[theory]]. An example of a common, incorrect [[assumption]] is that of assuming certain internal [[Attributes|characteristics]] based on external [[appearance]]. The [[explanation]] for one's [[actions]] is his or her internal [[state]] (goals, [[feeling]], [[personality]], traits, [[motives]], [[values]], and impulses), not his or her [[appearance]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype]

Certain circumstances can affect the way an [[individual]] stereotypes. For instance: Studies have shown that [[women]] stereotype more negatively than men, and that women read into [[appearance]] more than men. Some [[theorists]] argue in favor of the [[conceptual]] [[connection]] and that one's own [[subjective]] [[thought]] about someone is sufficient [[information]] to make assumptions about that individual. Other [[theorists]] [[argue]] that at minimum there must be a casual [[connection]] between mental [[states]] and [[behavior]] to make [[assumptions]] or stereotypes. Thus results and [[opinions]] may vary according to [[circumstance]] and [[theory]]. An example of a common, incorrect [[assumption]] is that of assuming certain internal [[Attributes|characteristics]] based on external [[appearance]]. The [[explanation]] for one's [[actions]] is his or her internal [[state]] (goals, [[feeling]], [[personality]], traits, [[motives]], [[values]], and impulses), not his or her [[appearance]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]