The Oxford online dictionary (2009) defines ‘Stereotype’ as âa preconceived and over-simplified idea of the characteristics which typify a person or thingâ. Stereotypes have always existed since the formation of first human societies. This essay examines the cause and effects of stereotypes.
The reasons why humans resort to stereotyping are many. Social scientists have long theorized that humans try to breakdown complex situations into smaller simplified parts to help them cope with the situation better. Humans tend to categorize objects, people and events in simplified categories for the ease of responding to them when the situation so demands.
Stereotypes are sometimes used as tools to modify the child’s behavior more as case to discipline the child than any real intent at prejudicing their minds. For example, the parents or elders may tell scary stories of demons and monsters to keep the child quiet. The natural fear of darkness is often accentuated in such stories and the ‘demons’ take the form of darkness which results in painting the picture of black demons. This mental imagery slowly gets transplanted and the child may end up associating demons with anyone possessing a dark complexion. Others with outright racist tendencies deliberately instill scary stories concerning a particular race to harbor division and exclusivity. Thus not too long ago, a black man was associated with sloth, evil and the devil. The effect of such stereotypes has led in the past to actual treatment of African-Americans as slaves, sub-humans and curtailment of their human rights. The effect also, brought forth the civil rights movement and affirmative action.
Islamic leaders have held that other than the ‘people of the book’, all other races were infidels, who if not converted to Islam could be exterminated. This stereotype resulted in some of the worst carnages of human history. Likewise, the stereotyping that all Muslims are Jehadis by some of the Christian world has led to serious divisions and socio-political problems the world over. Stereotyping has led to formation of various entities as well as a rise of ethno-nationalism across the world. It has also led to tremendous discrimination. The effect of stereotypes has been to empower the position of power of some communities and the subjugation of others. Thus, Romany Gypsies being ‘thieves’ and âchild snatchersâ is a popular stereotype that has ensured that this particular community continues to live on the fringes of society throughout Europe irrespective of the ‘enlightenedâ community of the European Union.
Stereotypes have some truths, but these are usually blown out of proportion and thus most stereotypes have negative connotations. Some like the elderly, being âwiseâ, âgentleâ and âkindâ have positive effects such as the almost universal respect for the aged. The causes for stereotype are many as outlined in this essay ranging from behavior modification of children, to perception management of the polity or narrow political and religious gains of the bigoted. Irrespective of the motivation, it is a fact of life that stereotypes exist and they, to a large part, have negative connotations with their concomitant negative effects on human society.