Why do we stereotype?

For all things philosophical.

Moderators: AMod, iMod

Post Reply
Above us only sky
Posts: 99
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 3:50 pm

Why do we stereotype?

Post by Above us only sky »

There are lots of stereotypes in this world, here I have an example:

In China, there is a thing called 'white monkey jobs'. Here is a very interesting video about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-DJrrMbLC4

The word 'white monkey jobs' is not a Chinese word, this word is created and used only among western expats in China to mock the issue of a so-called 'white priviledge' in China.

Do you know any other funny stereotypes? why do we humans love stereotypes? Is there a practical usefulness behind those stereotypes for the very people who believe in them?
Last edited by Above us only sky on Thu Jun 22, 2017 6:09 am, edited 6 times in total.
tbieter
Posts: 1206
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:45 pm
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Re: Why do we stereotype?

Post by tbieter »

Above us only sky wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:32 pm There are lots of stereotypes in this world, here I have an example:

In China, there is a thing called “white monkey jobs”. Here is a very interesting video about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-DJrrMbLC4

Do you know any other funny stereotypes?
why do we humans love stereotypes?
Is there a practical usefulness behind those stereotypes for the very people who believe in them? Yes. A stereotype is a generalization and a generalization is a basis of knowledge. It is accurate more or less. And it is based on some facts, so it has some basis in reality. Try thinking without making generalizations.
ster·e·o·type (stĕr′ē-ə-tīp′, stîr′-)
n.
1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.
3. Printing A metal printing plate cast from a matrix molded from a raised printing surface, such as type.
tr.v. ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing, ster·e·o·types
1. To make a stereotype of.
2. To characterize by a stereotype: "Elderly Americans are the neglected sector of the fashion industry, stereotyped by blue hair and polyester pantsuits" (American Demographics).
3. To give a fixed, unvarying form to.
4. To print from a stereotype.
[French stéréotype, stereotype printing : stéréo-, solid (from Greek stereo-; see stereo-) + type, printing type (from Old French, symbol, from Late Latin typus; see type).]
tbieter
Posts: 1206
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:45 pm
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Re: Why do we stereotype?

Post by tbieter »

tbieter wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:34 pm
Above us only sky wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:32 pm There are lots of stereotypes in this world, here I have an example:

In China, there is a thing called “white monkey jobs”. Here is a very interesting video about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-DJrrMbLC4

Do you know any other funny stereotypes?
why do we humans love stereotypes?
Is there a practical usefulness behind those stereotypes for the very people who believe in them? Yes. A stereotype is a generalization and a generalization is a basis of knowledge. It is accurate more or less. And it is based on some facts, so it has some basis in reality. Try thinking without making generalizations.
ster·e·o·type (stĕr′ē-ə-tīp′, stîr′-)
n.
1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.
3. Printing A metal printing plate cast from a matrix molded from a raised printing surface, such as type.
tr.v. ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing, ster·e·o·types
1. To make a stereotype of.
2. To characterize by a stereotype: "Elderly Americans are the neglected sector of the fashion industry, stereotyped by blue hair and polyester pantsuits" (American Demographics).
3. To give a fixed, unvarying form to.
4. To print from a stereotype.
[French stéréotype, stereotype printing : stéréo-, solid (from Greek stereo-; see stereo-) + type, printing type (from Old French, symbol, from Late Latin typus; see type).]
Is the following public behavior accurately described as monkey=like behavior? In what respects?
https://www.facebook.com/PoliticalCorre ... 844504328/
Above us only sky
Posts: 99
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 3:50 pm

Re: Why do we stereotype?

Post by Above us only sky »

[/quote]
Is the following public behavior accurately described as monkey=like behavior? In what respects?
https://www.facebook.com/PoliticalCorre ... 844504328/
[/quote]

No, it is not monkey like behavior, it is simply vandalism, clear and simple. Why would anyone consider it monkey-like behavior? because a monkey would eat a whole apples instead of just take one bite on each apple. I don't understand your concept of 'monkey'. Monkeys do not do vandalism, vandalism is totally a human behavior. To call the thing in this video 'vandalism' is an insult to monkeys.

I totally agree with you that stereotype is a sort of generalised but incomeplete knowledge.
Above us only sky
Posts: 99
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 3:50 pm

Re: Why do we stereotype?

Post by Above us only sky »

tbieter wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:34 pm
Above us only sky wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:32 pm There are lots of stereotypes in this world, here I have an example:

In China, there is a thing called “white monkey jobs”. Here is a very interesting video about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-DJrrMbLC4

Do you know any other funny stereotypes?
why do we humans love stereotypes?
Is there a practical usefulness behind those stereotypes for the very people who believe in them? Yes. A stereotype is a generalization and a generalization is a basis of knowledge. It is accurate more or less. And it is based on some facts, so it has some basis in reality. Try thinking without making generalizations.
ster·e·o·type (stĕr′ē-ə-tīp′, stîr′-)
n.
1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
2. One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.
3. Printing A metal printing plate cast from a matrix molded from a raised printing surface, such as type.
tr.v. ster·e·o·typed, ster·e·o·typ·ing, ster·e·o·types
1. To make a stereotype of.
2. To characterize by a stereotype: "Elderly Americans are the neglected sector of the fashion industry, stereotyped by blue hair and polyester pantsuits" (American Demographics).
3. To give a fixed, unvarying form to.
4. To print from a stereotype.
[French stéréotype, stereotype printing : stéréo-, solid (from Greek stereo-; see stereo-) + type, printing type (from Old French, symbol, from Late Latin typus; see type).]
Thanks for checking the dictionary 8)
Post Reply