Essay On Implicit Stereotypes

Words: 1580
Pages: 7

Implicit stereotypes refer to when you unconsciously attribute specific qualities to a member of a certain social group. They depend on your experience, and are based on associations you have learned. Stereotypes usually refer to categories including race, gender or age. The study of implicit stereotypes first started around the late 20th century. The possibility that stereotypes influenced people’s social interactions without them being aware had explosive implications. Implicit stereotypes can affect you both positively and negatively during social interactions, ranging from saving resources and improving memory, to social judgment and decreased performance. However, implicit stereotypes may serve as an adaptive function, and therefore trying to reduce them may have negative affects. …show more content…
Implicit stereotypes have been found to have negative …show more content…
From the research addressed it seems the negative implications of implicit stereotypes out way the positive implications. Implicit stereotypes are positive in that they serve as an energy saving function, and therefore help to improve memory. However, they can considerably affect an individual’s social judgement and also their life outcome. Being negatively stereotyped can decrease performance in important life events, such as academic tests. Research is suggesting ways in which implicit stereotypes may be reduced. However, as research shows it uses up more cognitive resources attempting to not stereotype, negative consequences can arise from this. Stereotypes may also be adapted from our evolutionary past; therefore it is a complex issue in trying to reduce something that may serve as an adaptive function to