Stereotyping is the basis of most forms of racism as it provides the misjudged beliefs that are the foundation for discrimination. According to Verywell Mind, a mental health information resource, stereotyping is defined as “a fixed, overgeneralized belief about a particular group of people based on their race.” Although it is natural for human minds to stereotype, it creates unintended biases for and against races grounded in observed beliefs that are often false.
Where does stereotyping even begin? Regardless of individual intentions, human brains are wired to create mental shortcuts based on information from observations, experiences, and other people. These mental shortcuts are also called cognitive biases that impact everyday decisions. Cognitive biases can eventually accumulate to discriminatory behavior against groups and individuals (Verywell Mind).
Stereotyping essentially categorizes people from their perceived traits and associates them with assumed attributes based on an individual’s cognitive biases. For example, an individual who observed an elderly person get into a car accident may assume that all elderly people are poor drivers and will avoid elderly people on the road. This example may be relatively harmful, but what about when it comes to racial profiling in law enforcement and the legal system? African American and Hispanic suspects are more often falsely accused of crimes than their racial counterparts due to stereotypes and cognitive biases by the court and jury.
Cognitive biases do not apply only to the white majority, but racial minorities as well. Minority individuals generally find value in shared discriminatory experiences with other people in their community. However, if minority individuals are viewed to have white attributes without being white, they are viewed to have advantages over others in their community. This often leads minority individuals who have perceived white attributes to be ostracized from their community because others believe they don’t “have it as bad” as them. For example, an Asian person with larger eyes may be discriminated against in their own minority group because they are believed to be “less Asian” regardless of their upbringing. By using stereotypes of themselves, minority individuals find comfort in viewing people of shared physical characteristics, but are averted from others in their community who possess features similar to the white majority. This exclusion within minority groups furthers stereotypes minority individuals have of themselves and their identity.
Self-stereotyping is a double edged sword. While it may form connections between minority individuals, it may also be a self-fulfilling prophecy according to Verywell Mind. Minority individuals are expected to perform by their stereotypes, further restricting their potential and abilities. Using an example from Verywell Mind, a minority teenager who grew up around gang activity is socially stigmatized to join the gang and is more likely to do so because of the expectation of their race and background.
Stereotyping, largely in hiring and enrollment practices, significantly stunt the potential of racial minorities. While the question of race on applications is intended to create a diverse pool of employees/students, it also enables admissions officers and hiring managers to impart their racial biases. Stereotypes generalizing races to be more or less intelligent often discourage minority individuals from working toward their greatest potential, either because they feel stunted by expectations or because they feel they cannot meet expectations.
https://www.verywellmind.com/harmful-psychological-effects-of-racial-stereotyping-5069394
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