Stereotypes and Cultural Assumptions

These statements are often made while referring to previous encounters with individuals or groups of different cultures (Moran, et al 1). These stereotypes may lead to cultural discrimination and limit multiculturalism in the sense that they limit people’s understanding of different groups of people. There are three types of stereotypes that are people often subject other people too. These include simple auto-stereotype, projected auto-stereotype and projected hetero-stereotype amongst others (Macrae, Charles & Miles et al 1). Simple auto-stereotypical behavior refers to stereotyping where the object of the stereotype is referring to themselves as being better than the subjects. In a world that is characterized by different cultures, ethnic groups and tribes, stereotyping based on culture, belief, and origin is very common and exists in different ways and under different circumstances.

Eliminating stereotypes and cultural discrimination in this day and age is almost impossible since these are beliefs that have been passed on for many years through different generations of people (Lips, et al 1). When a person meets someone from a different culture or country, the first thing that they think about is how to effectively interact with them. At this point, it is very easy for stereotypes to be made in an attempt to start conversations. Stereotypes and cultural assumptions are mental structures that often help ease the process of comprehension and adaptation in different environments (Schneider, et al 1). From the 19th century, white people have seen the black women in Africa as describe above. This is a stereotype made by colonialists about the African ladies (Herzfeld, et al 1).