What role do stereotypes play in social psychology?

Stereotypes play a significant role in social psychology as they often lead to biased feelings and behaviors towards groups. When individuals hold stereotypes, they apply generalized beliefs about a group to its members, which can result in prejudiced attitudes and discrimination. This bias can manifest in various ways, such as favoring one group over another, misjudging people's abilities based on their group membership, or even perpetuating harmful social norms.

The prevalence of stereotypes in society highlights their power in shaping perceptions and interactions among individuals. For example, someone may unconsciously harbor negative stereotypes about a particular ethnic group, which could influence their behavior in social situations, potentially resulting in social exclusion or unfair treatment of individuals from that group. Therefore, understanding how stereotypes function in social psychology helps in addressing and mitigating their negative impacts on social relationships and cohesion.