Essay on Stereotype: Stereotype is an extreme generalisation of belief about a particular group o community of people. It is not only a preconceived notion about the certain group but a degree of expectation from the individuals of that group. These expectations are not only centred around a particular belief but also their attitude and personality.
Stereotypes are often inaccurate and create misconceptions regarding the community. Though stereotypes are sometimes useful while understanding groups of people, their culture and heritage, they are often over-generalised. These over-generalised stereotypes harm the individuals who belong to the group yet don’t completely identical to the preconceived notions.
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Long and Short Essays on Stereotype for Students and Kids in English
We are providing students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Stereotype.
Long Essay on Stereotype 500 Words in English
Long Essay on Stereotype is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.
A stereotype is defined as a preconceived notion about a certain group or community of people. It is an extreme generalised view of their beliefs and attitude. Stereotype seldom helps on to understand the character and culture of a group. It is mostly a negative generalisation. Stereotypes are often inaccurate and create misconceptions.
Stereotypes can be divided into:
Explicit stereotypes: Explicit stereotypes are the ones that a person holds and is aware of it. One uses these stereotypes to judge others as well.
Implicit stereotypes: Implicit stereotypes are the ones that a person holds subconsciously. One is not aware of the unconscious bias that one has regarding different communities. According to social psychology, a stereotype is a widely recognised belief about different types and variations of particular groups. These concepts are often far from reality. Stereotypes are often related to the deep-rooted social psychology of the people.
Etymology: The English word ‘stereotype’ is derived from the French language. It is also derived from the Greek words ‘stereos’ which means ‘solid’ and ‘typos’ which means impression. Hence ‘stereotype’ is a strong and solid impression.
The relation between stereotype, prejudice and discrimination:
Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, are very different concepts but are intrinsically related to each other. A stereotype is a cognitive component which mostly occurs without conscious awareness. On the other hand, prejudice is an affective component and discrimination is a behavioural component.
The relation between cognitive and social functions:
A genuine belief of many people was that stereotypes are mostly beliefs of the rich, aristocratic authoritarians. However, this misconception has been dissolved as it has now proven itself as a common social impression.
Cognitive Functions: Stereotypes are not always negative. They help to form a collective idea about a certain group of people. It helps to classify into systematised information broadly.
Social Function: Social categorisation in a positive light:
- Stereotypes are used to explain certain social events.
- Stereotypes are used to justify the action of a certain group to another group.
- Stereotypes are also used to differentiate between ingroups and outgroups.
Some Common Stereotypes:
- Racial Profiling: One of the most common stereotypes is racial profiling. For example, many assuming that all African Americans are good at sports is a racial stereotype.
- Gender profiling: Though we have come a long way detaching ourselves from several negative stereotypes, Gender profiling is still a matter of concern. The impression that women are fragile and they can’t take care of themselves, and that it is the duty of a man to provide for a woman are the basics of the gender stereotypes still prevalent in today’s world.
- Culture Stereotypes: There are also certain stereotypes regarding the culture of a country. It is a common stereotype that all South Asians are good at math or all Americans are obese and lazy.
- Group Stereotypes: There are also certain stereotypes about the respective groups. A common stereotype is that all politicians are corrupt.
Though there is a lot of explaining how all stereotypes are not bad, stereotypes, on the whole, are mostly wrong and create unnecessary misconceptions that are also hurtful. Hence, we must open our minds and oppose these stereotypes.
Short Essay on Stereotype 150 Words in English
Short Essay on Stereotype is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Stereotypes are generalised beliefs about certain groups and communities. These are some preconceived notions that are often faulty and create several misconceptions. They are not only misleading but are also hurtful to the individuals of the group who do not identify with the beliefs.
Stereotype, prejudice and discrimination are very different concepts, yet they are intrinsically related to each other. A stereotype is a cognitive component, while prejudice and discrimination are affective and behavioural components, respectively.
Some common stereotypes are:
- Racial profiling-For example all Asians are geniuses; this is a racial stereotype.
- Gender Profiling- A very common one is that men are the only breadwinners of the family.
- Cultural Stereotypes- An example is a notion that very few Indian can speak English.
- Group stereotypes- An example of a group stereotype is that all teenagers are rebels.
It is not morally correct to over generalise people as most of the stereotypes end to be misleading and faulty. Hence, we must teach ourselves to be more open-minded and aware of our surroundings.
10 Lines on Stereotype in English
- A stereotype is an over-generalisation of beliefs.
- It is used to classify the attitude and behaviours of different groups broadly.
- A stereotype is a cognitive component.
- Prejudice is an affective component.
- Discrimination is a behavioural component.
- According to social psychology, stereotypes are mostly unconscious.
- We are often unaware of our subconscious bias of stereotypes.
- Some types of the stereotype are gender, sex and racial stereotypes.
- A stereotype is broadly divided into two groups.
- They are an explicit and implicit stereotype.
FAQ’s on Stereotype Essay
Question 1.
What are explicit stereotypes?
Answer:
Explicit stereotypes are the preconceived impressions which one is aware of holding. One uses them to judge other people based on it.
Question 2.
What are the implicit stereotypes?
Answer:
Implicit stereotypes are the ones that people are unaware of holding. These are unconscious bias.
Question 3.
Are Stereotypes bad?
Answer:
Stereotypes are always bad as they are faulty, misleading and hurtful towards individuals who do not identify with the pre-determined characteristics.