Literature Review: Judging Groups and Society: Stereotypes

Joel Furches

Abstract

This paper explores the relevant research on the subject of stereotypes – how they form, and how they operate. Stereotypes, according to Gopaul (2021), are defined as cognitive biases which occur between groups separated by the kinds of automatic heuristic sorting discussed in previous literature (see also Fiske & Taylor, 2017). This sorting may group individuals into categories such as nationality, gender, or political and religious affiliation. Once the sorting has occurred at the automated level, automatic cognitive processes will engage when encountering members of a category, and attitudes will activate to determine the thoughts and behaviors one has toward this distinctive group.