What is a Stereotype?

A little Etymology

stereotype (n.)From Greek stereos "solid" + French type "type." Noun meaning "a stereotype plate" is from 1817. Meaning "image perpetuated without change" is first recorded 1850, from the verb in this sense, which is from 1819. Meaning "preconceived and oversimplified notion of characteristics typical of

a person or group" is recorded from 1922.

StereotypeDefinition: Stereotypes are

characteristics ascribed to groups of people involving gender, race, national

origin and other factors. These characteristics tend to be

oversimplifications of the groups involved, however.

Some other old stereotypes include…

• Blonde girls are air heads (stupid).• All restaurant dishwashers are Mexican.

• Women do all of the cooking.• Men are tough and don’t cry.• Asians are better students.

• French people are rude and obnoxious.• People in power positions are men.

A stereotype is…

For example, someone who meets a few individuals from a particular country and finds them to be quiet and reserved may spread the word that all citizens from the country in question are quiet and reserved.

A generalization such as this doesn’t allow for diversity within

groups and may result in stigmatization and discrimination of groups if the stereotypes linked

to them are largely negative.

People from New Jersey…

Let’s see if we can identify some stereotypes in this short story.

Jelly-Filled Stereotypes

One day, the chief of police sat in a booth at the local donut shop. While he was eating a jelly filled pastry a robber came into the store with a black mask on and demanded all of the money in the register

The server, a girl named Anne, and the clerk, a boy named Joe, were both scared out of their aprons. Joe tried desperately to open the register as Anne began to cry. Just then, a second robber came in and demanded that everyone get down on the floor. The immigrant dishwasher was the first to comply. At that moment though, the police chief raised his gun at them and exclaimed, “Not so fast there tough guys!”

Surprised, the two robbers ran outside to their getaway car. The police chief was proclaimed a hero until later when the police could not find two men matching any of the descriptions.

What happened?

Why couldn’t they find the men?

What other stereotypes can you find in this story?