How do stereotypes originate?

Answer 1

The reason stereotypes exist is because they are so often right. Our brains are very good at pattern matching. Through our experiences in life, we detect patterns such as a red stove-top is hot or ice is slippery. Our brain then uses these patterns as a short cut so we don't have to stop and think about everything in our environment. This works for social experience too. If every red headed person with a blue hat you meet acts stupid, then your brain expects any red headed person with a blue hat to act stupid.

Unfortunately, it works for false information as well as personal experience. If we are told over and over in movies or TV news that Arabs are terrorists, for example, then we believe it without thinking. As intelligent beings, we need to be aware of the stereotypes that color our thinking and be ready to make exceptions for each person with whom we interact.

Answer 2

Experience

Answer 3

People with narrow minds see a person of one race do something, and if they don't like it, they assume everyone of that race does it. Notice they don't stereotype their own kind?

Answer 4

Because people...more or less during their childhood are exposed to maybe a certain group of race doing a certain thing, like blacks stealing or shooting at each other...when they never see whites stealing or shooting at each other...also most of it is hear say or how you are brought up...but I don't stereotype..I have all kinds of friends.

Answer 5

They originate through fear and ignorance. People make assumptions of others cultures that they know nothing about because they are afraid of what they don't understand.

Answer 6

General observations that are exaggerated and passed on by word of mouth.

Answer 7

From the merging of two monotypes.