Conference turris::womannotes-v3

                        <<< Note 85.0 by CADSE::KHER >>>
                      -< Stereotype : what does it mean? >-

The American Heritage Dictionary defines stereotype as

stereotype n. 	1. a metal printing plate cast from a matrix that is molded
		from a raised printing surface, such as type.
	 	2. a conventional and usually oversimplified conception or
                                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
		belief.
		3. one considered typical of a kind and without individuality
                                                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
	    v. 	1. to make a stereotype from
    
    [to make a stereotype that is an oversimplified conception; something
     considered to be without individuality]
    
		2. to form a fixed, unvarying idea about.
    
    
    The things I have indicated from the above definitions are variations
    of the definition #2 that strikes you as negative.  Thus, they all
    strike me as negative.  And yes, there is almost always *some* factual
    basis for a stereotype, some characteristic that *is* present in *many*
    (or at least several) members of a group.  That characteristic becomes
    the stereotype.
    
    Nancy
    
    you as negative.  

Stereotype:  like, you know, Yamaha or Nakamishi or Kenwood - dudes and
dudettes!

    Thanks John Heffernan! you are extremely helpful !
    
    AArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
    I thought I had a reasonable command over english. Now can someone
    tell me what Nakamishi or Kenwood is. On second thoughts, never
    mind I can live without knowing that
    
    Manisha

Nancy,

    Isn't almost any description of a group of people an
    oversimplification? I think people are too complex and varied to be
    really described as a group. When someone does a statistical survey and
    comes up with characteristics that apply to a large number of people of
    that group - isn't that a simplification? It doesn't mean that the
    people in that group have no individuality, just that while describing
    a 'typical' member, you are focusing on the common points and ignoring
    the differences. So what is the difference between stereotypical and
    typical? Is it a matter of degrees? Like if my statements are based on
    observations about two neighbours, generalised to say, all New
    Englanders then they're stereotypes, but if it is true about most (80%
    ??) then it is 'typical'?
    
    Hmmm, I'm wondering. Maybe the first meaning that I threw away is the 
    answer.
    stereotype n. 	1. a metal printing plate cast from a matrix that
    			is molded from a raised printing surface, such as type.
    If that's the original meaning of the word, then perhaps trying to fit 
    individuals into molds is an integral part of stereotyping.

    Please someone teach me english. Or american if you prefer.

    Thanks
    manisha

    Manisha -
    
    I believe that you got it.  The reason for the negative reaction
    to the term stereotype is because it *implies* that all potential
    members of the group can be seen *only* in terms of the mold, without
    any opportunity to allow for individual differences.
    
    Alison

    manisha,
    
    You ask hard questions!
    
    There's so much subtlety involved!  Part of the problem lies in making
    individuals fit the simplification (the "molding" you mentioned).  
    
    Another part
    of the problem lies in jumping to the conclusion that whatever the
    statistics in the hypothetical study reveals, those characteristics
    apply to ALL people in that group, when in fact they apply only to the
    statistical numbers of the group studied.  (I'm not expressing this
    very well -- hope it makes sense!)
    
    A third aspect of the problem is that we tend to make 
    simplifications/oversimiplifications based on *limited personal
    observations* rather than on statistical studes.  
    
    For example, the group I'm in consists of a certain number of "A"
    people and a certain number of "non-A" people.  Well, 2 or 3 of the "A"
    people happen to have a certain characteristic which greatly annoys me.
    Furthermore, none of the "non-A" people has this particular
    characteristic.  I have to argue with myself frequently to keep from jumping
    to the conclusion that ALL "A" people have that same characteristic --
    even though there are MORE "A's" who do NOT have that characteristic
    than who DO -- *right here in my own group!*  Nevertheless, I have to
    fight against stereotyping "A's."
    
    It ain't easy -- and I'm not even sure I'm right!
    Nancy    

The problem with stereotyping is that people have a tendency to *forget* that
the stereotype is a stereotype ("oversimplification" etc) and treat it as an
actual model of an individual they meet.

Having stereotypes isn't wrong; forgetting to adjust for the flaws in 
stereotypes when you meet an individual is.  

Remember: a stereotype describes a person that does *not* exist, anywhere.
So no matter how much you think someone fits a stereotype, do *not* make
assumptions about that individual based on that stereotype.  (Or rather,
recognize all assumptions as being assumptions and not facts.)  

I think that is the big problem, when people lose track of which individual
models were build from stereotypes, and which facts were derived from
unproven assumptions.

D!

    Used properly sterotypes help us wade through the overabundance of
    inputs our crowded, fast paced world throws at us.

    For my safety at night I must assume that any male I see when I'm alone
    and in a lonely place has bad intentions. I act on that by distancing
    myself from the man as soon as possible. I'm acting on the sterotype
    that men are violent and dangerous to any woman who is vulnerable. If I
    don't act on that and get hurt it will be said "she should have known
    better".

    For my sucess at work and in social environments I must work around
    that sterotype and assume that most men are safe and that I don't need
    to be afraid of the men I work with unless they actively harass me.

    My sterotype is a protective mechanism but I must know when to turn it
    off. In the first instance I'm better off safe than sorry. In the 2nd
    instance I'll lose a lot by holding to the sterotype and not accepting
    that individuals are all different. liesl