Just what is a stereotype? Simply put, stereotypes are characteristics ###### upon groups of people because ###### their race, nationality and sexual ######, among others. But these characteristics ###### to be oversimplifications of the ###### involved.

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

A generalization such as ###### doesn't allow for diversity within ###### and may result in stigmatization ###### discrimination of groups if the ###### linked to them are largely ######. That said, even so-called positive ###### can be harmful due to ###### limiting nature.]]>
Stereotypes ######. Generalizations

There are many talented African-American ###### players in the U.S. However, ###### this sport with African-Americans culture ###### a whole is a generalization. ######: Chad Cooper/Flickr.]]>
While all stereotypes ###### generalizations, not all generalizations are ######. Stereotypes are widely circulated oversimplifications ###### people groups. In the United ######, racial groups have been linked ###### stereotypes such as being good ###### math, athletics and dancing.]]>
On the other ######, a person can make a ###### about an ethnic group that @@@@'@ been perpetuated in society. Say ###### woman encounters individuals from a ###### ethnic group and finds them ###### be excellent cooks. Based on ###### encounters with these folks, she ###### oversimplify and conclude that anyone ###### this ethnic group must be ###### excellent cook.

In this instance, ###### would be guilty of generalizing, ###### an observer might think twice ###### calling her conclusion a stereotype ###### no single group in the @.@.]]>
They Can Be Complicated

While stereotypes ###### refer to a specific sex, ######, religion or country, often they ###### various aspects of identity together. ###### is known as intersectionality. A ###### about black gay men, for ######, would involve race, sex and ###### orientation. Although such a stereotype ###### a specific segment of African-Americans ###### than blacks generally, it's still ###### to insinuate that black gay ###### are all a certain way. ###### many other factors make up ###### one black gay man's identity ###### ascribe a fixed list of ###### to him.]]>
Stereotypes are also complicated because ###### they factor in race and ######, members of the same group ###### be pegged very differently. Certain ###### apply to Asian-Americans generally, but ###### the Asian-American population is broken ###### by sex, one finds that ###### of Asian-American men and Asian-American ###### differ. Stereotypes involving race and ###### may peg the women of ###### racial group as attractive and ###### men as the exact opposite ###### vice versa.

Even stereotypes applied ###### a racial group become inconsistent ###### members of that group are ###### down by national origin. A ###### in point is that stereotypes ###### black Americans differ from those ###### blacks from the Caribbean or ###### from African nations.]]>
Can They Ever Be Good?

###### negative and positive stereotypes exist, ###### even the latter do harm. @@@@'@ because all stereotypes are limiting ###### leave little to no room ###### individuality. Perhaps a child belongs ###### a racial group known for ###### highly intelligent. This particular child, ######, suffers from a learning disability ###### struggles to keep up with ###### classmates in school. Because his ###### buys into the stereotype that ###### child is supposed to excel ###### class because "his people" are ###### smart, she might assume that ###### poor marks are because he's ###### and never do the investigative ###### needed to discover his learning ######, saving him from years of ###### in school.]]>
Is There Truth In Stereotypes?

It's oft said that stereotypes are rooted in truth, but is this a valid statement? People who make this argument ###### want to justify their use ###### stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes ###### that they suggest that groups ###### people are inherently prone to ###### behaviors. Arabs are naturally one ######. Hispanics are naturally another. The ###### is, science doesn't back up ###### kinds of assertions. If groups ###### people have historically excelled at ###### activities, social factors no doubt ###### to this phenomenon.]]>
Wrapping Up

The ###### time you're tempted to stereotype ###### group of people, think about ###### groups to which you belong. ###### the stereotypes linked to those ######.]]>