Why are stereotypes so darn accurate?

Because you start with the stereotype, and you notice the cases that reinforce it, and you discount the cases that contradict it.

Lolz. Lolz, I tell you!

I mean, the question has some validity, but the presentation is hilarious.

I find that most stereotypes really aren’t accurate at all. They may be accurate for a small portion of whatever population you’re talking about, but that could be said of just about any statement. Stereotypes are what cause so many problems in this world. They’re nothing but trouble.

But I still wonder how they can’t be at least partially true if so many people spread out over a large area have noticed the same things, therefore creating a stereotype.

There are not true at all. They are selective vehicles enabling prejudice.

All fat people are not jolly.

All minorities are not lazy.

All blondes are not dumb.

The way to think about this is to imagine that someone made certain assumptions about your character, your personality and your actions with absolutely no knowledge of you. Would that feel good to you?

@poofandmook Lots of people are prejudiced. That does not mean it is right.

Because if someone starts a random stereotype, it wouldn’t go very far. Something has to have a grain of truth (even a really tiny one) for it to gain any currency at all.

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

@laureth Not necessarily. The stereotypes in my answer above could be applied to some members of every single group. There’s your grain of truth. Some people have negative traits. Lazy Caucasians. Dumb guys. Jolly thin people. What makes a sterotype is the twist of prejudice that turns it into a generality.

They’re not.

I think stereotypes are actually kind of funny. Pretty much all stereotypes are true to an extent within a some various margin of people, and obviously aren’t true in all cases but when they are it just seems so hilarious us to me. I think the stereotypes that stick are the funniest ones. I don’t know maybe that’s just me.

But I don’t think that stereotypes are necessarily bad but are often used negatively when people make generalizations that everyone part of an entire of group, whatever that group may be, is a certain way. I think everyone should just remember that the stereotype is not the archetype.

stereotypes aren’t true. that is why stereotypes are so funny. because they represent something so ridiculous.

@Marina – I beg to differ. I know some lazy caucasians, dumb guys, and jolly thin people (although I thought “jolly fat people” was the stereotype). I also know industrious caucasians, smart guys, and depressed thin people. It’s not that stereotypes are untrue. It’s that they are true some of the time, and if they match up a slice of reality with what society wants to believe, they catch on – to the detriment of that entire group.

They’re not, unless you are a bigot who enjoys not thinking for themselves.

@laureth I think you missed my point. Yes, jolly fat people is the stereotype, but since there are jolly thin people and jolly medium people, what is the basis for the stereotype? Prejudice.