What is a stereotype in the context of psychology?

In the context of psychology, a stereotype is understood as a broad belief about a group of people. This encompasses the generalizations that individuals make based on perceived traits or characteristics that are commonly associated with a specific group. Stereotypes simplify complex social realities, often allowing individuals to categorize others quickly based on limited information.

This belief can influence how individuals perceive, interact with, and make judgments about members of that group, leading to various social implications such as prejudice and discrimination. For example, stereotypes might involve assumptions about a group’s intelligence, behavior, or lifestyle, even if these characteristics do not apply universally to all members of that group.

Other options, while related to the nature of social perception, do not encapsulate the full essence of what a stereotype represents. A specific judgment about an individual corresponds more closely to individual biases rather than group-wide generalizations. An emotional response involves feelings rather than beliefs, and an action taken against a group describes behavior that stems from prejudicial attitudes or stereotypes but is not the definition of a stereotype itself.