Stereotype Examples: 5 Common Types

A stereotype is a widely held belief about a certain social group or a type of individual based on prior assumptions. Stereotypes can also be based on popular cultural depictions of groups of people or deeply held beliefs passed down through generations. Often, stereotypes can be negative or even harmful. The most common stereotypes that tend to be negative include:

• cultural stereotypes

• social stereotypes

• racial stereotypes

• gender stereotypes

• religious stereotypes

While stereotypes are rarely correct and certainly not always accurate, they are not always negative. In fact, some cast a positive light on a certain group or type of people. However, they are still over-generalizations and ultimately not helpful because individuals and groups cannot be limited to a few stereotypical traits.

Each culture has key characteristics that make them vibrant and unique. Unfortunately, each culture also has its share of stereotypes — negative and positive — about themselves or other cultures. Stereotypes are often broad and overly generalized, and this can lead to some harmful beliefs and misconceptions about individuals or entire cultures.

• People from X country are better than people from Y country.

• People from X country are all ignorant and rude.

• People from X countries are less educated than people from Y or Z countries.

• People from X country hate people from Y and Z countries.

• People from X country are violent and uncivilized.

• People from X country are overweight.

• People from X country are lazy.

• People from X country are bad cooks.

• People from X country are the most efficient and innovative.

• People from X country are warm and welcoming.

• People from X country are all tall and gorgeous.

• People from X country are all smart and talented.

Whether it’s the jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, or goths in your school or the lone wolf at work, people sometimes make assumptions about different social groups based on their characteristics, economic class, age, skills, etc. While these can be positive, there are many negative stereotypes about various social groups.

• X type of person is better at something than Y type of person simply because they belong to that group.

• X group is unfriendly and prudish.

• X people are not attractive because they are part of a certain group.

• X types of people are weird.

• People from X social class are less educated than people from Y class.

• People from X class are all arrogant and act superior.

• People in X group are not as capable as people from Y group.

• People from X group are shallow and selfish.

• People from X group are less intelligent than Y group.

• X people are organized and punctual.

• X age group is wisest.

• X people are happy.

• X people are good listeners.

One of the most egregious kinds of stereotypes is racial stereotypes. These stereotypes are extremely harmful to others and can result in discrimination and even violence. While stereotypes — especially racial and cultural stereotypes — are often harmful, there are some that can seemingly reflect positively on groups. Nevertheless, stereotypes contribute to misconceptions about and inequality among groups because they reduce individual or collective experiences to a few characteristics that do not apply to everyone.

• X race is superior to Y race.

• People from X race are not as good at something as people from Y race.

• X group of people are unintelligent.

• X group of people are greedy.

• X people are dangerous.

• X people are untrustworthy.

• People of X race are kind.

• People of X race are fun and energetic.

• People of X race are athletic.

• People of X race are good at music.

• X group of people are good at science.

People of different genders have always been compared and contrasted with each other, which can result in stereotypes. Negative stereotypes can arise when people of a certain gender make generalizations about another gender or even their own.

• X gender is better at something than Y gender.

• X gender is more aggressive than Y gender.

• X gender is less attractive than Y gender.

• People of X gender are all bad drivers.

• People of X gender are untidy and disorganized.

• People from X gender are bad listeners and communicators

• People of X gender are beautiful.

• People of X gender are smart.

• People of X gender are athletic.

• People of X gender are more intelligent.

Religion is a deeply significant aspect of life for billions of people around the world and impacts most people in some way. Because religion is so prevalent, both positive and negative stereotypes have been formed over the years.

• People who practice X religion are extremists and hypocrites.

• People who follow X belief system are all foolish or selfish.

• People who practice X religion are intolerant.

• People who practice X religion are naive.

• People of X religion are dangerous and destructive.

• People of X religion are only concerned with money.

• People who practice X religion are wise.

• People who practice X religion are peaceful.

• People who practice X religion do good things for others.

• People who practice X religion are generous.

Stereotyping leads to categorizing people into groups based on certain characteristics or ideas about that group. This can be limiting at best and lead to unintentional or intentional discrimination — and even violence — at worst. Even in instances of apparently positive or neutral stereotypes, stereotyping can still be harmful because it creates preconceived ideas or expectations for people that they may not meet, or it can make a person feel reduced to those stereotypical traits.

For instance, if someone does not live up to the “positive” stereotypes of their group, they may think they fit the negative stereotypes by default. Furthermore, the negative stereotypes can lead to feelings of inferiority or that the person will be stereotyped no matter what they do.

The human mind is endlessly fascinating and complex. Review psychological terms and phenomena with the following:

• Examples of Personality Traits: The Positive and Negative

• Examples of Overconfidence

• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Examples and the Psychology Behind Them

• Examples of Spontaneous Recovery: Psychology in Daily Life