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Racial stereotyping involves a fixed, overgeneralized belief about a particular group of people based on their race. And while some people say things like, "I don’t stereotype anyone based on their appearance," the truth is that everyone does it due to mental shortcuts influenced by our racial socialization.
Racial stereotyping stems, in part, from the brain's natural tendency to categorize people. However, it is important to remember that this process is heavily influenced by socialization processes, including the messages and images presented to us by family, friends, and the media. Such stereotyping can be damaging and lead to discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. Keep reading to learn more about how racial stereotypes form and how you can actively look for ways to overcome such beliefs.
Racial socialization is the process of receiving information about the values and perspectives of our race from our parents, caregivers, and other influential people.
Your brain creates mental shortcuts to help you rapidly respond to situations based on past experiences or societal messages about various races, thus leading to stereotypes. But these shortcuts are generalizations and rarely accurate assessments of an individual or group. They’re what’s known as a cognitive bias.
Once you establish these beliefs, changing your way of thinking is difficult. This is because you’ll unintentionally look for evidence that affirms your beliefs and discounts any evidence to the contrary.
When left unchecked, stereotypes may lead to prejudice and discrimination. Acknowledging stereotypes and their psychological impact, however, is the first step in breaking down those beliefs.
When you encounter someone, you make split-second judgments based on that individual’s appearance. Within an instant, your brain is trying to help you determine whether an individual is trustworthy and safe, or whether they likely pose some sort of emotional, social, or physical risk. And these judgments will affect how you feel and how you act.
Many of your stereotypes were developed when you were a child. Here’s how some generalizations about race can likely be formed:
The media messages you receive and the interactions you have with others influence how you view people based on their race.
When most people think of racial stereotypes, they think of an entire race being grouped together. However, research shows we tend to categorize people according to their subtypes.
For example, someone might have a very different stereotype of "Black men" versus "Black women." Other subtypes might include "Black athletes" or "White businessmen."
It’s important for individuals to consider how they categorize people into subtypes and what stereotypes they may hold about these groups in general.
The way you think about other people affects how you feel and how you behave. A person’s race may affect the emotional response you have when that individual:
Your emotional responses may range from anxiety and apprehension to relief or pity.
Your stereotypes affect how you behave as well. Here are some examples:
Stereotypes are also likely to lead to microaggressions. Here are some examples:
Individuals on the receiving end of stereotyping are also impacted emotionally and behaviorally.
Stereotype threat is a phenomenon that happens when people are placed in situations where they fear they are at risk of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group. This threat results in increased stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.
Dealing with the threat consumes cognitive resources and leaves people less able to succeed in the situation, which then reinforces the stereotype. This can contribute to disengagement, underperformance, and self-handicapping.
Research has also found that stereotyped individuals may begin to act stereotypically because they want to be more included in their group.
Self-stereotyping can be a way for marginalized people to band together in a world that oppresses them and places them at the bottom of a hierarchy. It may help them experience some cohesion.
Consequently, negative stereotypes can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. A child who has grown up in a redlined neighborhood where gang activity is present and who has also been socialized to believe that people of their race engage in crime, for example, is more likely to engage in illegal activity during their lifetime.
Recognizing your stereotypes and the potential damage they do is the first step in creating change. Fortunately, you can take steps to change harmful stereotypes.
Racial stereotyping is influenced by how the mind works, but it is the racial socialization that we all experience that controls how these stereotypes form and are expressed. If you hold negative racial stereotypes about other people, it is important to start taking an active approach. Work on becoming anti-racist by actively challenging negative attitudes and beliefs about others whenever you encounter such ideas.
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By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.
