O Stereotype it is a concept, idea or image model attributed to people or social groups, often in a prejudiced way and without theoretical foundation.
In short, stereotypes are impressions, prejudices and “labels” created in a generalized and simplified way by common sense.
It was with the development of societies that stereotypes emerged and standardized various aspects related to human beings and their actions.
In such a way, these models or clichés were repeated over time, resulting in impersonal patterns and preconceived ideas.
How does it arise?
Stereotypes are reproduced by cultures and broadcast in various media, such as television, the internet, and are often represented in comedy programs.
Generally, we use stereotypes unconsciously, as they are concepts related to the history, geography, cultures and beliefs of different societies.
Note that these models of stereotypes are mainly related to physical aspects, for example, when we see a girl dressed in a more masculine way, we soon intuit that she is homosexual.
However, these assessments can be erroneous and often derogatory and prejudiced in content.
Although stereotypes can have positive or negative appreciations, it almost always carries negative aspects.
Beauty stereotype
When we approach the theme of stereotype, it is clear that a very recurrent subject is the famous “beauty stereotype”. That is, that standard model instilled in people's minds about the physical aspects of individuals.
In this sense, we can think of the models, who work under the stereotype of beauty, where body and weight are crucial characteristics.
Note that the stereotype of beauty, that is, what is considered “beautiful” can vary depending on the culture in which it is inserted.
In other words, the stereotype model developed in Japan, for example, may be different from Brazilian standards.
However, with the deepening of international relations and the development of globalization, stereotypes are shaped in a broader and more homogeneous way.
Types of Stereotypes
Several types of stereotypes were created from behaviors, actions, physical aspects, among others. Check below the types of stereotypes most reproduced by society.
Social and Economic Stereotype
Mainly related to the social class to which it belongs, this type of stereotype is widely publicized by the media.
Cinema can be an interesting case for analyzing the relationship between different socioeconomic positions, for example, between the poor and the rich. The first is considered inferior to the other, as it has fewer material goods.
Note that this is often reproduced in a positive way, for example, when the poor person in the story has a happy ending due to their values and principles.
However, stereotypes can cause discomfort in those who receive them, for example in the phrases: "the little girls are futile and only think about money”, “the preppy are neat nerds", among others.
Gender Stereotype
Widely practiced by society, since we were born many stereotypes are attributed, for example, blue is for a boy and pink is for a girl.
Or even when we think about giving a gift to a child, we offer a stroller for the boy and a doll for the girl.
All these patterns were developed by society, however, we must be careful when practicing these models, since they are not fixed and carry negative and derogatory aspects of beings.
Associated with gender stereotypes we can mention the “homophobia”, or aversion to homo affective relationships.
Machismo and misogyny are also applied in stereotypes when it comes to female and male genders.
In this regard, many stereotypes are produced daily, either by the media (by example, an advertisement for detergents or soap that appear only women) or in the sentences given: “Woman's place is in the kitchen”, “this is a man's work", among others.
Ethnic and Cultural Stereotypes
Another highly developed stereotype is that associated with races, ethnicities and cultures. So, when we think of a Chinese, we immediately make different judgments, as if all Chinese were the same and ate dog and cat. Or even that all Arabs are terrorists, the Portuguese are dumb or Brazilians are offered.
In addition, and no less important, is that stereotype associated with skin color, where blacks and Asians are taxed in various pejorative ways.
With the globalization process, many cultural stereotypes were developed by society. In this regard, we can think of the xenophobia, a prejudice that defines the aversion to foreigners, or everything that is different from our culture.
Also, the ethnocentrism it is another type of prejudice, reproduced by cultural stereotypes, where the term is applied to define the superiority of one culture over another.
Stereotype and Prejudice
If stereotypes are impressions used to judge people and their behavior, we can intuit that these evaluations are often closely related to prejudice.
Prejudice, like stereotype, arises with the attributions made to people. Thus, value judgments are made about a certain aspect of society, whether social class, culture, religion, ethnicity, skin color, sexual preference.
Thus, we came to the conclusion that stereotypes strengthen prejudiced ideas, that is, they are the basis of several types of prejudices, which generate verbal or physical violence between individuals.
Curiosity
Remember that the term stereotype comes from the Greek. This word is formed by the union of the words "stereos” (solid) and “types” (print, pattern) which means “solid print”.