stereotipe

A stereotipe is a fixed, oversimplified belief or image about a group or type of person. Stereotipes generalize features across individuals, ignoring variation and context. They often concern characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, or occupation, and they may be positive, negative, or neutral. The problem arises when these generalized beliefs influence how people are perceived or treated.

The term stereotipe is closely related to, and often interchangeable with, the English word stereotype. The concept entered social science in the early 20th century, with researchers noting that people rely on simplified pictures of social groups. Walter Lippmann popularized the term in 1922 to describe fixed mental images in the public mind.

Formation and function: stereotipes arise from cognitive processes that categorize people into groups, reinforced by social learning from family, media, and culture. They provide quick rules of thumb for interpreting others, which can be efficient but also error-prone when individuals deviate from the stereotype, or when contexts vary. Stereotipes can be reinforced by confirmation bias and selective exposure.

Impact and consequences: stereotipes can fuel prejudice, bias, and discrimination, limiting opportunities for those who are stereotyped and shaping policy and social interactions. They persist even in the face of contradictory evidence. Research on stereotype threat shows that awareness of a negative stereotype about one’s group can impair performance, illustrating real-world effects of stereotipe dynamics.

Mitigation: education, diverse experiences, and media literacy can reduce reliance on stereotipes. Encouraging individualized judgments, exposing people to counter-stereotypic examples, and promoting critical thinking help counteract oversimplified social images and support fair treatment.