The Internet was created to allow fast communication, cars were designed to offer a faster form of transportation, and even something so simple as the wheel was utilized to help design tools to help man in their day-to-day living. Humans desire, and have the tendency to accomplish their tasks with as little output as possible. While history, and simple observances on human behavior may lead one to believe that mankind is lazy by nature, this generalization made by humans themselves is simply a label upon their own species. Moreover, this generalization; this label is a stereotype.
Stereotypes are generalizations made by humans of certain groups of people where specific characteristics are attributed to them. If one has several traits fitting them into any one group, humans have the tendency to judge their other various characteristics accordingly. For example, if one were to see a teenage boy with slicked back hair, braces, large glasses and plaid pants hiked up to his stomach, one might judge him as a ‘geek’. Based off of this basic stereotype, one would most likely assume him to be awkward, socially incapable, albeit, incredibly smart and logical.This may not necessarily be the case, but because of prior experience, media stereotypes, and the recognition of consistent attributes, one would assume it to be as such.
While this quick judgment is unfair to the one being judged, stereotypes are efficient shortcuts that are able to save a lot of time. In comparison to getting to know another in depth through time and tedious conversation, the prospect of being able to judge another instantaneously with a glance is a much more desirable. Stereotypes rarely capture individuals with complete accuracy, but on the other hand, they often capture enough of the truth to be cruel or humorous.If humans were to try to get to know every passing stranger they would essentially be wasting time.
Stereotypes help in getting to know individuals even without doing something so simple as talking to them. Humans use classification systems as means to evaluate others in such a way that is rapid, and quite often unconscious. As individuals don’t like to exert themselves more than they have to, stereotyping is an efficient system to help them in getting to know others. This ability is hardwired into the brain, as it is, in any species, an evolutionary tactic to assist with survival.
Despite being a natural part of evolution, it is still energy-efficient and simple. Classifying others is completely natural behavior, but this does not change the fact that it limits output, and only backs the claim that humans are lazy. Stereotypes exist because groups of people have visible, consistent attributes that can easily be noticed and recognized. Sterotyping amongst humankind occurs because it holds some consistent truth, while being the most energy efficient way to try to understand others; this is why humans feel the need to classify.
