What is the defination of a stereotype?

Question

And why do we feel the need to make people conform to them?

Answer 1

My definition of a stereotype is "a set of characteristics or behavior that are seen as typical for a defined people group." It is the kind of thing that someone has in mind when that say, "That's just like their kind." I don't expect people to conform to stereotypes. Life is much more fun if we live outside the box. We can do this without breaking any moral or legal standards. Do the unexpected. Watch peoples eyes get bigger and the jaw unconsciously drop open. That's so much like their kind.

Answer 2

The word "stereotype" comes originally from printing. The word was coined by Firmin Didot to mean a duplicate metal printing plate of an original  collection of hand-set type (for example, the type used to print a page in a book). This duplicate was used used for printing instead of the original, which was made of loose pieces of type.

Didot (1764 – 1836) was a French printer and type founder. He used the process extensively in printing book, which (because it was quicker and easier) revolutionized the book trade by his cheap editions. He could send his metal plate duplicates of the original type-set to other printers, and they could print it without having to set the type.

In modern times, after setting the type one would put wet papier-mâché on the set type, squash it onto the type, and let it dry into a stiff sheet. This could then be mailed to other printers who would put the sheet in a special form, fill it with molten lead and, when the lead cooled, use that to print the words, pictures, etc.

I owned my own printing company for ten years (1948-1958) and did this often, using papier-mâché "stereotypes."

There are other definitions as well, but this was the original meaning.

Answer 3

stereotypes are, simply put, thoughts about people you don't know, which are transmitted to you by people around you, and depend on each culture. for ex, the stereotype of british being inflexible, germans hard working an distant...there are many preconceived ideas regarding almost everyting and everyone.

"And why do we feel the need to make people conform to them?"

it depends on each person, but basically when you think about it there's the general tendency of wanting people to share your attitudes, thoughts, opinions. you want people to agree with you...

generally, stereotypes are used as guidelines or the first thing one knows about a foreign people for instance. it's easier to take them as they are, ideas give to you, than to take your time to discover the facts yourself.

Answer 4

Stereotype: "A fixed and inflexible characterization of a group of people." - Giddens

Stereotypes are an easy way to "understand" people without having to get to know them.

Answer 5

Description of stereotype

NOUN: 1. A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

It is how humans think. Your mind merely makes assumptions based on previous experience of what it expects.