Do we ever stop judging and stereotyping?

[unexplained sam]

is it possible for us human beings to stop the judging and the stereotyping. I find it so frustrating when people judge you the first second they meet and then they just categorize you into a group.:frown5: Im in highschool, so maybe its different out in the real world. But from what iv seen from the world, does everything have to be based around looks and. Are we all just brainwashed into thinking what is cool and what not cool. Sometimes i feel that people need to wake up and realize there a bigger things going on then trying to be cool. Drives me crazy sometimes. :willy_nilly:

Sorry if sound like a bratty little highschool student. Oh and no, this is not directed at anyone I know, just people I observe.

[AllyFizzle]

What I began doing myself is as soon as I see someone for the first time I think of something I like about them or give them a compliment in my head. I realized that after awhile this becomes second nature and replaces any immediate judgement that might come to mind. I've since passed this on to some of my much younger cousins and children I've babysat.
We're all bred in different environments that when we see something or someone who wasn't or isn't a "norm" in the environment we come from we instantly group them away from us and judge. Sometimes it is instinct and we have to learn to differentiate because a lot of times you might feel you are judging someone but it is just instinct telling you to keep your guard up or let it down.

[caesar]

What I began doing myself is as soon as I see someone for the first time I think of something I like about them or give them a compliment in my head. I realized that after awhile this becomes second nature and replaces any immediate judgement that might come to mind. I've since passed this on to some of my much younger cousins and children I've babysat.
We're all bred in different environments that when we see something or someone who wasn't or isn't a "norm" in the environment we come from we instantly group them away from us and judge. Sometimes it is instinct and we have to learn to differentiate because a lot of times you might feel you are judging someone but it is just instinct telling you to keep your guard up or let it down.

We either fear or loathe what we don't understand, don't we? I liked your idea to overcome this negativity.

[Il Dante]

"Grouping" of human beings is a great evil that plagues us. Stereotyping is wrong. But I think stereotyping is just a superficial manifestation of two much deeper problems.

The first problem is exclusionary grouping of human beings and identification with exclusionary groups. For example, I'm Black, you're White, I'm Asian, you're not; I'm American, you're French; and on it goes ad nauseam. Grouping is when we group others into exclusionary groups; identification is when we do this to ourselves. The problem is not diversity; it's not that some people eat sushi and others eat pancakes; it's not that some people speak Chinese and others speak German; it's not that some people shake hands and others air-kiss; and it's not that the skin of some is darker and the skin of others is lighter—these are not the problem. The problem is grouping ourselves along the lines of diversity in an exclusionary way. Elimination of such grouping and identification would eliminate 85% of the conflict among the human race.

It takes two to tango.

Racism is evil. But it is part of a much subtler evil: racialism. Racialism is the dividing up of human beings into "races," which have zero scientific basis; the concept of race is nothing more than an unfortunate remnant of a savage past. Race is a stereotype. It's an overgeneralization. And this brings me to the second problem that underlies stereotyping.

It's the more general human problem of generalization. All generalization is overgeneralization. And the term "overgeneralization" is redundant. All generalizations are false by definition. They foist simplicity upon complexity in order that we might convince ourselves that we've understood something when we haven't. Most failed scientific theories are examples of generalizations that broke down under the weight of anomalous evidence.

Some would argue that generalizations are necessary. I would respond: generalizations have been the source of tremendous confusion, error, and evil. We shouldn't kid ourselves that we understand things by artificially simplifying them.

[BienvenuJDC]

I agree with the premise that is set here. Stereotyping causes so many problems, but may I ask the question.....dare I ask? Is stereotyping ever accurate? If so, how often?

[Il Dante]

I agree with the premise that is set here. Stereotyping causes so many problems, but may I ask the question.....dare I ask? Is stereotyping ever accurate? If so, how often?

It depends on how you define "accurate." If by "accurate" you mean true, the answer is no, because there will always be an exception to the rule. For example, if one says "Americans are fat," that is not a true statement, because although roughly 44% of Americans are fat, 56% aren't. But even if 99.99999% of Americans were fat, just one skinny one would make the statement untrue.

[BienvenuJDC]

That is not what I mean...but what I do mean, are the odds high that some stereotypes are accurate? Nothing is ever 100%...

[Il Dante]

That is not what I mean...but what I do mean, are the odds high that some stereotypes are accurate? Nothing is ever 100%...

Right. And this is where my criticism of generalization comes in. I think that generalizations are, by definition, wrong irrespective of what one is generalizing about. Whether it be science, economics, humanity... or whatever: generalizations are always untrue; this is because, like you said, nothing is ever 100%.

I'm saying: if something's not 100% let's not call it 100%. Generalization is saying, "yes it's not 100%, but it's more or less 100%." I don't think that's a good way to go.

[The Atheist]

I agree with the premise that is set here. Stereotyping causes so many problems, but may I ask the question.....dare I ask? Is stereotyping ever accurate? If so, how often?

Inside every stereotype lies a prototype.

[Leland Gaunt]

Ever hear of a social schema?

[Scheherazade]

is it possible for us human beings to stop the judging and the stereotyping. Even if it was, why would we wanna do that while judging and stereotyping are so much fun?

[The Comedian]

Even if it was, why would we wanna do that while judging and stereotyping are so much fun!

Pha! Only a woman would say that! ;)

[Scheherazade]

Pha! Only a woman would say that! ;)And only a man would genderilise the issue!

:smilewinkgrin:


PS: And I should have used a ? instead of a ! at the end of that sentence.

[motherhubbard]

I went to a theme park today and there were several men that looked middle eastern. I felt sorry for them because it must be really difficult to have people look at you like you might blow up the theme park.

[Revolte]

is it possible for us human beings to stop the judging and the stereotyping. I find it so frustrating when people judge you the first second they meet and then they just categorize you into a group.:frown5: Im in highschool, so maybe its different out in the real world. But from what iv seen from the world, does everything have to be based around looks and. Are we all just brainwashed into thinking what is cool and what not cool. Sometimes i feel that people need to wake up and realize there a bigger things going on then trying to be cool. Drives me crazy sometimes. :willy_nilly:

Sorry if sound like a bratty little highschool student. Oh and no, this is not directed at anyone I know, just people I observe.

It's no different out of highschool, trust me on that. But it's not something you have to be a part of, and people don't HAVE to act that way. It's a cultural thing, people believe what they are told, they never really grew up when it came to that. Not everyone is like that though. I feel you on how it drives you crazy, I'm a pretty wierd looking person, people see me and they have NO idea who I am inside. They tend to think "oh look a punk, I bet he never had a friend in the world, stupid junkie" they wouldnt stop for a second to think "hey look a punk, I bet he loves animals and nature, despises violence and would die to see the world a happier place." Screw it though, the best you can do, if it really bugs you, prove them wrong. The only pride worth having is in what you accomplish, and you should NEVER let stupid people bother you 'cause at the end of the day, they are the ones with the problem.

[keilj]

do we ever stop judging and stereotyping


No. In fact, as we get older, we get worse. Trust me, I live in Florida and interact with a lot of older people and retirees - many of them are full of hate. And it's not just becasue some of them are from an older era - I know people who were flower children and hippies in the 60's, and who now dislike "Mexicans" and "liberals" and on and on

[MarkBastable]

I think that generalizations are, by definition, wrong irrespective of what one is generalizing about. Whether it be science, economics, humanity... or whatever: generalizations are always untrue;


...including that one, presumably.

[Rores28]

It's the more general human problem of generalization. All generalization is overgeneralization. And the term "overgeneralization" is redundant. All generalizations are false by definition. They foist simplicity upon complexity in order that we might convince ourselves that we've understood something when we haven't. Most failed scientific theories are examples of generalizations that broke down under the weight of anomalous evidence.

Some would argue that generalizations are necessary. I would respond: generalizations have been the source of tremendous confusion, error, and evil. We shouldn't kid ourselves that we understand things by artificially simplifying them.

I don't know if I'd say they are necessary (but I may) so much as I'd say that they are inevitable. You can't really make any statement that isn't a generalization or wont later be proved to be with emerging information.

For instance the statement, men have testicles, is in fact a generalization, as one possessing all other "male" characteristics would still be considered a man. If this seems sophistic I apologize, but I put it forth to illustrate that not all generalizing is harmful, but some of course is, and like most things now you have the grain/pile of sand problem on your hands.

I agree that we shouldn't kid ourselves into thinking we ever fully understand generalizations, but for me that means I don't fully understand anything which is not a bad thing. It seems, to me however, that you are categorically persecuting generalization (irony) when it is unavoidable and can often be helpful.

You need to begin by making generalizations in science, for instance, to foster a greater understanding of physical phenomena. Working your way through an understanding of cell biology has to start with broad generalizations about how specific organelles function etc.. . Later some information will be dispelled as you are able to peel back layers and see exceptions to the rules. It would, however, be futile to try and jump right into the minute particulars and expect to have a full understanding, and it would be arrogant to think even then you were not generalizing as new more specific information will undoubtedly emerge.

So then if I say person of ethnicity X, or phenotype X, or whatever X, probably has trait Y and in looking at objective data there is in fact a high chance of that X --> Y relationship have I done something inherently wrong. What if there is blatant animosity in my statement? What if there is none? What if I am pointing it out as some sort of conciliatory measure? What if the X--> Y relationship is false?

I don't think generalizing is inherently wrong/immoral. Saying that is itself, (as someone has already pointed out) a generalization and I dont think a particularly accurate one. I think generalizing is just a common vehicle for immoral practices.

[spookymulder93]

People have to get to now each other first before making judgments, but sometimes making judgments beforehand can save you a headache in the long run.

I mean if a person exhibits all the characteristics and traits of GROUP A it's only natural to assume he's in GROUP A. Even though this may be wrong it is logical.


I don't think it's possible to not have certain opinions in your mind about a person when you first meet them. I do believe that it's possible to hold those opinions, but still not exclude the person and this way you can get to know the person at the same time. The more you get to know the person either they'll prove your assumptions to be right or wrong.

[Cunninglinguist]

In an attempt to say something of use, judgment on a basic level is a necessary faculty. Would you have it that we don’t judge a man with a bloody axe who is asking where your children sleep? There are many more of these rhetorical questions that can be asked to demonstrate my point.

Let me start with some facts that might shed some light on the nature of the subject: Neurons are one of the most energy expensive cells in the body who also, unfortunately, have no way to store energy within them. Furthermore they can only work in an environment where they have an abundance of oxygen and sugar (they are aerobic as opposed to something like muscle cells which are not aerobic). So even though we have 100 billion neurons and the brain weighs less than 2% of our body weight, it requires 20% of our cardiac output and 15% of our oxygen intake. Critical thinking is a faculty which requires a much larger amount of energy than memory recall, thus, in the interest of preserving energy, we have been designed through evolution to generalize and judge. In many respects this is a useful faculty, we do not have to reinvent the wheel every time we encounter a problem, so to speak.

In light of these facts one might come to understand why this faculty exists and one might find judgment and stereotyping a more forgivable vice, but by no means an excusable one. For most people it requires less energy to continue being the bigot they were taught to be than to critically assess their lives, this can be due to lack of intelligence or an environment that does not require them to change. Also In this way Il Dante’s statements: “All generalization is overgeneralization. And the term "overgeneralization" is redundant. All generalizations are false by definition” are incredibly false generalizations about generalizations for other reasons than MarkBestable has so jestingly pointed out. I don’t think I need to further clarify why.

Of course this issue is probably concerning you, by the sound of it, because you are often judged negatively and you are looking for a pragmatic solution, or so I judge. Complaining, which I would not say you are doing, but just to clarify, as is so often observed in so many people, is not a very pragmatic solution; it alienates you from other people and perpetuates a bad habit that ultimately serves to cultivate rot in your heart. It is not pragmatic either to try to change the world and squelch all forms of generalizations. AllyFizzle proposed a very nice solution, in my opinion, to the problem; in my experience one must lead by example, liberated from the negative opinions of others, bestowing positive ones upon others. When you are liberated from the fear of being yourself, others around you will be liberated, too; as we love others for who they are and not who they appear to be we subconsciously give others the permission to do the same. When they see your enlightenment they will see that bigotry is not the sensible path to happiness; love is a much more expeditious rout. In this way you will be a candle that lights 1000; the cultivator of loving men and not the tailor of empty animated coats and trousers.

[soundofmusic]

Unfortunately, people need some way to categorize what they like and dislike; what they think is effective and useless....In some ways, it makes things a bit easier: you don't have to be intelligent, well-educated, kind...just look like the latest stereotypical person you want to emulate.

Me, I've always had the wrong look at the wrong time: In my 20's I seemed to have "the bimbo" look; so I couldn't get a decent job. Menial jobs were being taken by single mothers and better jobs were for women who looked like they were seriously considering a career path.

Now, I am a bit chunky, a bit maternal looking, and when I go to peoples homes they grab my bags from me. When I tell them I am there to take care of their relative, they worry that I will hurt myself; yet resent that they feel inclined to help me. When I begin to pour narcotics they ask if they can give me more light....

[_Shannon_]

is it possible for us human beings to stop the judging and the stereotyping. I find it so frustrating when people judge you the first second they meet and then they just categorize you into a group.:frown5: Im in highschool, so maybe its different out in the real world. But from what iv seen from the world, does everything have to be based around looks and. Are we all just brainwashed into thinking what is cool and what not cool. Sometimes i feel that people need to wake up and realize there a bigger things going on then trying to be cool. Drives me crazy sometimes. :willy_nilly:

Sorry if sound like a bratty little highschool student. Oh and no, this is not directed at anyone I know, just people I observe.

You can't control other people, only yourself. I have found that those who are not judgmental seem to flock together. Accept people for who they are and where they are at--and this includes accepting yourself in the same way. See that we all have things to learn from one another. Be always willing to concede when you have been wrong...and you will find yourself, over time, surrounded by people who are not petty.

[The Atheist]

I have found that those who are not judgmental seem to flock together.

Bunch of damned fence-sitters!

:D

[_Shannon_]

Bunch of damned fence-sitters!

:D
LOL! Just so long as it's a nice rail fence and not a picket one...