This article in the British Psychology Journal does an in depth analysis of the reason and effects of stereotype. I will make no pretense that I actually read the entire article. However the general abstract that I did read and the parts of interest I went over included primarily the effect of stereotype in society and the reason for its existence.
The primary effect of stereotype in society is clearly to create a generalization and oversimplification of a complicated picture. Essentially the reason for stereotyping is self obvious. As of now not many people can appreciate the complexity of a multi-ethnic world. Globalization has been much too quick for some people to learn to adjust. Desperate to get a grip on this phenomenon, they have turned to stereotyping for the same reason early humans turned to nature spirits; to create an understanding.
Stereotyping, despite its negative connotation is not always bad. The Swiss stereotype for being precise and the Italian one of being gregarious are two common examples. However it does not take into account the value of each individual. Stereotypes can however be transformed into either a more positive or negative light. Effectually the article ends by informing the reader that the way a person can err in stereotyping is not the act but they way it is presented.
Bibliography:
Marisol Palacios, et al. "Stereotype content model across cultures: Towards universal similarities and some differences." British Journal of Social Psychology 48.1 (2009): 1-33. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.
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