Stereotyping
is defined as holding a fixed belief about others without validity. The habit
of stereotyping is not particular to a group, nation or race. Stereotyping is a
natural tendency of the human mind to minimize effort and find mental shortcuts
to process information and draw quick conclusions.
Human
beings assume certain personality types are superior or inferior, friendly or
hostile, intelligence or ignorant, reliable or unreliable, aggressive or
docile. Stereotyping helps the animals in their survival to find their prey and
sense their rivals. It helps them to live in communities, hunt in packs, and
find better protection from other animals.
We
form both positive and negative opinions affect our ability to think and act
rationally. Some conclusions arising from stereotyping may be right and even
helpful to deal with the complexity of the world. The following suggestions are
helpful to guard against stereotype thinking.
1.
Appreciate the diversity: Imagine a world where everyone looks alike and thinks
alike. You will have no chance of being recognized or asserting your
individuality. You are able to leave a mark upon the world and establish your
identity because of the diversity that prevails in our world.
Appreciate the diversity you find in
the world and people around you. Contemplate upon how it enriches your life,
and contributes to your welfare. Be grateful for the different people and
diverse cultures in shaping the human civilization.
2.
Avoid assumptions: Do not jump to conclusions when you do not know people
well. Avoid the temptation to make up information based upon your feelings
rather than facts.
3.
Be rational: Think and act rationally with objectivity when you deal
with people or judge their behavior.
4.
Cleanse your thinking: Make a list of your irrational beliefs and prejudices and
examine them according to your personal experience and observation. See how far
they are true and valid. Analyze your past to know how developed certain
beliefs and prejudices are, and how you were influenced by your parents and
peers in your childhood.
5.
Expand your self-awareness: When you know more about you, you will develop better
insight into human behavior and appreciate others with greater tolerance and understanding.
6.
Gather more information: Try to know more about people whom you tend to stereotype.
Study their history, social and cultural background and examine rationally
whether you prejudices are justified.
7.
Know your boundaries: You may protect your interests, and act with social
responsibility, but you must know that neither the country nor the community
with which you may identify belongs to you.
You are just one of the billions of
people who live upon earth for a short item and disappear forever. You may
enrich them with your actions and service, but you cannot assume any special
privileges for yourself based upon your birth or background. You can stand for
yourself and defend your rights and actions, without infringing upon the rights
of others to live their lives according to their vision and values.
8.
Learn from others: Prejudices and stereotyping prevent many people from
learning from others. You can learn a lot from others even if they are not as
educated or knowledgeable as you are. The world offers you innumerable
opportunities to learn from others, and you should wisely make use of them.
9.
Practice compassion: All people deserve your sympathy because they all suffer
in their own individual ways. Whether they are rich or poor, young or old,
everyone who lives upon earth is vulnerable to innumerable hardships. Treat everyone
with compassion, tolerance, and understanding.
10.
Respect individuals: Treat each person as an individual rather than as part of
a group. Do not assume that people will have certain traits or behavior simply
because they belong to certain groups or nationalities.
11.
Respect the humanity: All people (irrespective of their color or creed) belong
to the same human race. Our destinies are deeply intertwined. We are the only
intelligent beings in the known universe. Treat people with respect as the
children of God.
12.
Respect the individuality: Each person is unique. He may share some features with
others, but his life and behavior are uniquely shaped by circumstances.
Therefore focus upon the individuality of each person you meet, and what
distinguishes him or her from the rest.
13.
See yourself in others: Although people may belong to
different social and cultural backgrounds and speak different languages, they
share many common features and behaviors, and experience the same emotions.
They are also driven by the same desires and
concerns. Look for areas of agreement with others, and treat them the way you
would like to be treated.
“People are incapable of stereotyping
you; you stereotype yourself because you're the one who accepts roles that put
you in this rut or in this stereotype.” (Eva Mendes)[i]
[i] Adapted from: “How to Avoid Stereotyping”
by Jayaram V
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