Stereotypes are obviously a way of grouping people into one category. Yet, stereotypes must be formed from something. Observations. If a human brain notices that a group of people display certain characteristics that apply to all of them, it naturally ties those characteristics into them. Stereotypes “satisf(y) the need to understand and predict the social world” (MSU.net), it is our brain trying to grasp the world by making it simpler. That is solely how human brains work- if we tried to learn everything in school in separate sections without tying concepts together, we would never be able to remember everything. Take fish for example, not everyone knows individual fish names; however, if they saw a fish their brain would tie it to the category they know as “fish”. Yes, it is possible for stereotypes to go too far. When this happens it’s because the stereotype no longer becomes a general observation, it comes from one or a few individuals from the category who do something- and the idea get transferred to the rest. People need to understand that stereotypes are a part of daily living and that without them life would be much more complicated.
Good job Nate! I like your fish example! It does make sense when you say that people can't remember everything if you don't group things together but I feel that people need to be approached as individuals and not part of a group.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna on this one Nate. I get what you mean by saying that people can't remember everything without grouping them together, but the world would also be simpler if people got to know each other as individuals.
ReplyDeleteNice point Nate. People often assume "stereotype" has a negative meaning, but you mentioned the scientific and positive side of it. Ms. Rosenberg told us this week that stereotyping was a must in marketing because you could not sell to an individual you had to sell to the group.
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel you on this one, Nate. Stereotypes are natural, but one mustn't take it too far. If nine purple aliens always ate grass, you wouldn't expect to see the tenth one at a McDonald's. While if two of those aliens specifically hate Golden Retrievers, you shouldn't assume that all purple aliens hate dogs. Also, I loved how you took a scientific take on stereotypes rather than a social one.
ReplyDelete