Honest answers. Do you stereotype? If you do, why?

Question

I know it's not right but I do. It seems the older I've become (28) the more I do it.

Answer 1

I try hard not to. But let's face it. We all do. Anybody who denies this is lying or has a skewed view of himself. I think the key here is to recognize our biases and work hard to avoid them. Take it on as a challenge of something to NOT do.

Answer 2

Why do you "know it's not right" ? Actually to discuss Society and Culture one MUST stereotype. We are NOT discussing Joe, Mary, or Lulu, but different cultures and how they tend to operate. That doesn't mean EVERY person operates that way, but enough of "them" (whomever the "them" is) are known for certain common traits.

Furthermore most stereotypes have SOME basis in truth. Therefore to deny all stereotyping would deny us establishing any common ground with humans, or any nationality or any race.

Western cultures are currently being brainwashed by Political Correctness and that is denying common problems which are more prevalent in some groups than others. People like you now are thinking that to stereotype, is nearly a cardinal sin, and NEARLY should be punished by God knows what means. I maintain that PC protects a lot of very problematic people within our society, because we now are nearly prohibited in pointing them out

Answer 3

Yes, I stereotype and I think that it's fairly normal. I see a person and expect them to behave or speak in a certain way. I don't treat any one differently because of the way they look or dress - everyone gets treated with kindness and respect until they behave badly and then I treat them differently. I believe that everyone has stereotypes - it's a sort of survival instinct, looking at people and determining whether they are predators or prey. It's those people who act on these initial reactions and treat other human beings poorly just because of an appearance that are wrong.

Answer 4

i agree with you. the older I get, ( i'm 39) and I do it too. I know it is wrong, but people are only human,and if u think about it, machines don't stereotype. Computer's don't tell the Muslim at the library " Don't touch my keys!!" or the Chinese woman looking up a recipe for meatloaf on All-recipes. com, " Don't look at my screen!" Emotions make up about 60 % of all our decisions, so yes, people do sterotype when they get older. It also has alot to do with experiences we have had along the way.

Answer 5

Sometimes, but I try not to. I think it's generally best to assume the person is being good and honest: if I'm wrong, I'll know soon enough. However, sometimes it's necessary to stereotype, especially if we're talking about government agencies. I think profiling is a necessary evil, as long as no harm comes to the person other than suspicion.

Answer 6

I'm sure we all do at some point. However having been exposed to a lot of different cultures I stereotype a LOT less than I used to because I have been educated on that issue. I guess I should apply that to all of my stereotypes but...sorry, not there yet.

Answer 7

I think that everyone stereotypes in one way or another. When you see someone who's dirty, unshaven and in ragged clothes, you think "bum". Even though that person might be the head of a multi-national corporation. (It really happened: it was an experiment studied in my friend's psychology course.) Stereotype actually means judging a particular group based on appearance from your own personal experience. I think we are all guilty of that. The problems arise when we start thinking of stereotypes as "better" or "worse". I have often caught myself in stereotypes and stop myself and say "Now, why did I just think or say that?" if I'm not being fair, then I stop and re-adjust my thinking.

Answer 8

I have to be honest and say I do. I am not up here to please other users on Y/A and i am not going to lie so that people don't give me a thumbs down. I stereotype people all the time. i keep it to myself of course or else i'd be in trouble. I haven't gotten rid of that bad habit because most of the time i'm right. I tend to judge a person by his/her looks, background, behavior when i see them. I sort of profile them. Anywhere I go I do but mind you my profiling helps me he keep my guard up and protect myself as well.

Answer 9

Yes, because I'm human. I try not to, though. But stereotyping is a very useful survival trait in the wild, and we've got it in our genes -- something that often needs to be fought.

Answer 10

We all do. Stereotyping is essential to survival. It's what keep us from asking gang members what's playing at the operahouse.