Stereotypes are the scourge of modern society. Cliches, patterns, standards are found at every turn. “All the rich steal”, “a child must strictly obey his parents”, “every woman should give birth”, “men do not cry”… The list of such expressions can be continued indefinitely. Stereotypes are terrible, because they mercilessly generalize and treat everyone with the same brush, without taking into account the individuality of each person. And thinking by standards is even worse. However, about everything - in order.
Formation of patterns
Before we turn to considering stereotypical thinking, it is necessary to talk about where the notorious standards come from.
It is believed that they are based on the experienced past. The experience gained by our ancestors is the reason for the emergence of patterns. Over time, they became entrenched and began to be passed from one generation to another, taking root in society andsettling in people's minds.
How are norms convenient?
The standard way of thinking is really convenient. After all, it gives rise to the same patterns of behavior in different people. In addition, the stereotyped thinking of society is very beneficial. Since people with standards ingrained in their minds, as a rule, do not have individuality and uniqueness. They are driven into the framework, live far-fetched norms. It is easy for them to inspire something additionally, to control them, to manipulate, to zombify.
In some stereotypes, of course, there is a rational grain. But in our time, even these patterns are twisted, distorted and taken to extremes.
About individuality
In today's society it is very important not to lose yourself. Especially when the surrounding people tend to stereotypical thinking. Sooner or later, a person with a developed and unlost individuality begins to notice that he does not seem to fit the image of the “ideal” person that has developed in society. The people around him do not agree with his views, convince him of the wrong, one might even say, are dissatisfied with him.
A vulnerable and sensitive person who really wants to please everyone, as a result, begins to lose confidence in himself and his abilities. Complexes can develop, self-dislike, self-esteem can fall. Many stop accepting themselves for who they are.
More persistent personalities do not pay attention to the opinions of others. And some even overestimate self-esteem, because they are able to think broadly, while others are limited by the framework. Thus, he himself encourages hisindividuality. People who are unable to do this begin to live as others expect them to, receiving approval in return, but losing their uniqueness.
Gender stereotypes
These are the most common patterns in society that demonstrate ideas about the behavior and characteristics of men and women. They are directly related to gender roles - social attitudes that determine suitable and desirable models for both sexes. Stereotypes support and reproduce them. Here are the most common:
- A man should not cry, talk about his feelings, do homework.
- A woman is supposed to be a homemaker, not a careerist, a free person or something else. Her tasks are cooking, washing, cleaning, reproducing and caring for the head of the family.
- If a woman has no family, she is bound to be unhappy.
- A man is obliged to engage in a solid or brutal business. Professions such as designer, stylist, artist and many others are too "unmasculine".
It is worth noting that stereotypical thinking in terms of gender is laid in the minds of people from childhood. Girls buy dolls and toy kitchen sets. Boys - cars and robots. And even in kindergarten, it can happen that the teacher, noticing how a girl is playing with some kind of transformer with interest, will send her to put baby dolls to bed.
What is right?
The first sign of stereotypical thinking is the habit of dividing everything into right and wrong. No, of course, each of us has our own preferences, views, values, priorities. But only people with a stereotyped perception of the world can react aggressively to other opinions.
They are convinced: the right thing is when a person has received a "nursing" speci alty. Then he got a stable job, and in his homeland, in order to serve the state, and not look for a better life abroad. He played a wedding, “like everyone else”, created a family, and always with children. That's right - this is when a person does not stand out from society and lives like everyone else.
But the point is, everything is relative. All people are different and consider correct only those attitudes in which they personally see a certain value and meaning, and not someone else.
Professions
It also contains enough patterns. A professional stereotype is a personified image of a speci alty. There is also the concept of image. This is an image that endows any social phenomenon with certain characteristics. A kind of "semi-finished product", designed for conjecture by society. The image has an inspiring function, so it often turns into a stereotype. Here are some examples:
- Psychologists know everything about us. With just one look, they are able to determine what a particular person is.
- Teacher. A person who knows everything and can answer almost any question.
- Artist. A person with an interesting, fun and carefree life, having a lot ofopportunities, success and prospects.
- Seller. Definitely a liar. Because he needs to sell the product, which means that even if it is not very good, he will paint it as perfection.
- Journalist. Borzopisets. The one who is ready to publish any disinformation for money.
By the way, often young people, inspired by images and stereotypes about professions, go to get one or a certain speci alty, and then are severely disappointed in reality.
In children
Stereotypical thinking in the smallest is also manifested to one degree or another. On another level, of course.
For example, a child is told that the Earth is round. He may start asking questions, trying to find evidence of what was said in books or on the Internet. But not necessarily. He can also take on faith what was said, without even a second doubt. And it is this reaction that will say that he has stereotypical thinking.
But why doesn't he ask questions? It is believed that the reason lies in certain qualities of consciousness, called stereotypical personal markers. These include authority, sub-influence, emotionality. Take, for example, the first marker listed. It assumes belief in information only because its source is an authority figure. Can a child doubt what his parents, elders or teachers have told him?
By the way, there is another interesting point here - examples of stereotypical thinking in relation to children. Whatthey should, if you believe the templates? Always obey your parents, embody their unfulfilled dreams and desires in your life, get only "five" and provide a glass of water in old age. And many mothers and fathers do not disdain all of the above to put pressure on their children.
How to stop thinking in patterns?
People rarely think about this. As a rule, due to the fact that they do not even consider their thinking stereotyped. Simply correct, generally accepted. But some people care about this issue, they even take a test called “Do you have stereotypical thinking?” (version 1.0). Well, if you really want to fix the situation, you can heed the following tips:
- You need to learn not to judge. For they are labels that limit the freedom of perception. How to do it? Just look at the world without judging it. Don't comment, just watch.
- You need to track your movements. So it will be possible to understand which of them are stereotyped and which are not. Each action must be brought into the sphere of awareness. This will help in the destruction of personal stereotypes, as well as teach you to live in the moment. What about examples? Here is the simplest one: people are standing at the elevator. They are waiting for him. But most will press the button anyway, knowing the elevator is on its way.
- Understand that everyone is different. To do this, it is enough to put yourself in their place. You don't like snakes - imagine that someone just doesn't like what you have the most sympathy for. No need to approve - just accept this fact, understand and notcondemn.
- To engage in the development of horizons. This is important for everyone who is concerned about the question of how to get rid of stereotypical thinking. Expanding horizons, and with it the scope. New knowledge, fresh thoughts, food for reasoning appear, views often change. If this does not get rid of patterns, then it will expand the boundaries for sure.
What to read?
There are books that completely break stereotyped thinking. Again, everyone has different tastes, but most recommend reading the literature of the postmodern era. Authors such as Patrick Suskind, Elfrida Jelinek, Chuck Palahniuk, John Fowles, for example. Or DBC Pierre, Julian Barnes, John Kennedy Toole, Jennifer Egan. And it’s better to start by studying books about stereotypical thinking directly in order to understand the essence from the inside. Fortunately, there are enough of them in psychology.
