Stereotypes may have both positive and negative effects on the self and society. Since most stereotypes are based on biased opinions, their effect on people is harmful. Even though some stereotypes may positively influence those individuals who are stereotyped, biased opinions make people misbehave, feel fear of doing or saying something, and adopt wrong decisions.
Stereotypical assessment of a certain group of people may lead to such consequences as misbehavior, lie, cheating, and other negative activities. For example, if white-skinned individuals spread rumors that all black-skinned people are criminals, the latter ones will be more likely to misbehave in front of such gossips. In comparison, positive stereotypes about Asians and their math ability may stimulate this group of people to study more to correspond to this belief.
In addition, negative stereotypes may arouse fear in those who are stereotyped. They may be afraid of doing something that might confirm a stereotype about their race, ethnicity, gender, or any other individual or group peculiarity. For instance, a stereotype about women’s inability to lead a military or a police department may result in women’s refusal to serve due to their fear of being judged or mocked. Consequently, such biased opinions may lead to gender discrimination and the women’s rights movement.
Stereotypes may also affect those people who express them, changing their understanding of what is right and what is wrong. For example, if a person spreads rumors that all aged individuals have dementia and other mental problems, they will tend to believe in these rumors themselves. As a result, such people will not want to receive enough health care because of their biased beliefs about the process of aging.
One can see that stereotypes affect those who are stereotyped and those who express them. In most cases, negative labeling enhances criminal behavior, arouses fear, and misleads people. However, sometimes, positive stereotypes may stimulate certain groups of individuals to improve their skills to correspond to the opinions of them.