Are stereotypes true in some way?

Question

If not where do they come from? Did someone make them up off the top of their head?

Answer 1

if I tell you the world is full of red cars you will start to notice more red cars.

Answer 2

Yes, there generally is an element of truth to most stereotypes, or at least a very good explanation for why the stereotype exists.

How about the positive stereotyping??!! (i.e., Mormons take care of their own. Blacks have rhythm. Gays are artistic.) These stereotypes have basis in fact; perhaps negative stereotyping does also. BUT we are conditioned never, never ever to bring up any stereotype to anyone for fear of offending them, or educating them.

Answer 3

I think they are true to an extent. But there are so many exceptions to each sterotype, we are btter off juding each individual for what he or she is, rather than make assumptions based on sterotypes.

Besides, people change and evolve all the time. So its just best to be open minded about people.

Speaking from personal experience, I know that we east indians are considered to be greedy for money. But I know people who are generous or are so spiritual, they don't care about saving money. And I have known a white englishman who was so miserly, it was unbelievable. he touched everyone he could and got as many free meals as possible . But most english people arn't like that at all.

Answer 4

Stereotyping is such a direct word to describe people in general, so the safest thing for me to say is that there is slightly little truth in many peoples actions to why people analyze them the way they do, but it's not a permanent solution to how everyone acts, and people tend to forget that when talking about stereotypes.



Krazy Libra

Answer 5

I think that there is some truth to stereotypes, but they just don't apply to a people across the board.

I sucks that people ask me how many children I have instead of if I have children. And even worse, they ask this befor asking if I'm married. All because of a stereotype.

Answer 6

WELL SOME MIGHT BE IF YOU WATCH A CERTAIN RACE OF PEOPLE AND YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY SEE THAT SOME OF THEM COULD MOSTLY ALL BE RUDE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SOME RACIST NAMES, I THINK THAT PEOPLE GOT TOGETHER AND STARTED CALLING PEOPLE THOSE NAMES. SOMEPEOPLE TODAY DON'T EVEN KNOW THE REAL MEANING BEHIND SOME NAMES. SINCE I AM MIXED WITH DIFFERENT RACES I GUESS PEOPLE HAVE A HARD TIME CALLING ME A NAME, OTHER THAN A MUTT. ONCE I REALIZED WHAT SOME WORDS MEANT, I WAS LIKE HEY THAT COULD APPLY TO ANY NATIONALITY, SO I JUST WAS LIKE ANYWAYS.....AS THE WORLD TURNS.......YEAH OVERALL SOME THINGS ARE MADE UP BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO HATE, IT TENDS TO RUN DEEP IN SOMEPEOPLE'S BLOOD. ....PLUS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY FEEL FREE TO GIVE A THUMBS DOWN, IT'S NOT HURTING ME AT ALL...CAN'T TOUCH THIS!!

Answer 7

Some of them are true to a certain extent, but blown way out of proportion. For example, there is a stereotype that Asian people are smart and only good at math, when in fact, not all of them are. I guess it all came from that "model minority" crap.

Answer 8

To me a stereotype is just an inkling of the truth.

Answer 9

well there must be some level of truth to them because otherwise they wouldn't have become a sterotype. these qualities must have been exhibited by more than one of whomever or whatever you are stereotyping.

Answer 10

Yes, just like rumors; there is usually some microscopic grain of truth.