STEREOTYPING AN OBSTACLE FOR SOCIAL CATEGORISING

Running Head: STEREOTYPING AN OBSTACLE
STEREOTYPING AN OBSTACLE
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STEREOTYPING AN OBSTACLE1
Introduction
Background information
Sari, Hariyati and Hamid, (2018) defined the stereotype as a permanent over the
generalized value about an individual or group or a class of people. The usage of stereotypes
is a common belief observed majority of the world population. The term simply infers that
the characteristic features of one individual representing that group or class of people. The
term stereotype directs to the other notions including social categorization that gives birth to
prejudiced behavior for a group of people. Fischbach, Lichtenthaler and Horstmann (2015)
mentioned some of the positive examples of stereotyping that including judgement hence
people use the term ‘Sober as judge’. For other instance it is often observed that the person
possessing the habit of newspaper reading is considered as highly respectable person. It is
worth to mention in this regard that the most common stereotyping can be observed in the
domain of gender. Gender stereotyping refers to the common perception about a particular
attribute or characteristic that ought to be observed within men or women. The concept of
gender stereotype is a harmful one that provide a limitation for any particular gender.
White et al. (2015) mentioned that, gender stereotyping is harmful as it is a negative,
it is a wrongful activity that results into violation of the human rights and the freedom
ascribed to one’s fundamental aspects.
Discussion
Nature of stereotyping
According to the Oxford dictionary, the term stereotypes refers to static and
oversimplified image or concept of an individual person or thing. According to the
dictionary, the term stereotype is ubiquitous in nature. They cover a huge group of area

STEREOTYPING AN OBSTACLE2
including race, politics, gender, demography, and activities. Among these types, some of
them are more harmful and others are less harmful. Michelson (2017) mentioned about some
broader approach of social science on stereotypes. On the other hand, the economic approach
of stereotype mention a discrimination based on statistics.
Galushko (2018) mentioned about racial stereotyping in the research work.
Considering the history of early Americans, they had a significant role in addressing the
attitude for the African-Americans. However, excluding the Americans, the researchers found
that racial stereotypes can be found in various cultures and the ethnic groups. The concept
culture and ethnic group convey different meanings and several same things at the same point
of view. They mentioned about the study of racial stereotyping formed by Katz and Braly in
the year of 1933. Their research work did not possess any view for the culture but for the
ethnic group.
As mentioned by Ochoga (2015) the term stereotyping can be found in the domain of
politics also. It refers that a persona’s favoritism for one political party or other related
beliefs. These researcher believe that the term stereotyping relies on heuristics. It means they
can occur without consciousness to shape the behavioral attributes in multiple ways. An
instance of political stereotyping will help to demonstrate the concept. For instance, a
particular political party that stereotype women as being nurturing and the importance of
protection can lead to get lesser votes for the activity of women ruling position of leadership.
The concept of stereotyping is pervasive in nature and adopted by the society easily
comparing the other positive agendas of sociology.
Similarly, Jussim et al. (2016) mentioned about the connection between stereotyping
and demographics. For better understanding one need to know the definition of demography.
Demographics or the demographic information refers to some selected population and their