Stereotyping: an evolutionary basis?

[Enigma]

Stereotyping is one of the most pervasive issues in modern society.  But does it have an evolutionary basis?  As our ancestors were evolving, they faced a multitude of threats.  They couldn't assume that only some spiders or snakes were dangerous, they had to assume that all spiders and snakes were dangerous if they wanted to survive.  So when we hear something negative about a certain race, gender, creed, etc. are we evolutionary inclined to apply that stereotype to all the members?

[Karaten]

Stereotyping is one of the most pervasive issues in modern society.  But does it have an evolutionary basis?  As our ancestors were evolving, they faced a multitude of threats.  They couldn't assume that only some spiders or snakes were dangerous, they had to assume that all spiders and snakes were dangerous if they wanted to survive.  So when we hear something negative about a certain race, gender, creed, etc. are we evolutionary inclined to apply that stereotype to all the members?

Of course. Animals do this too. The issue is not that people examine and separate, it's by what basis do they do this.

[pert -5]

Stereotyping is one of the most pervasive issues in modern society.  But does it have an evolutionary basis?  As our ancestors were evolving, they faced a multitude of threats.  They couldn't assume that only some spiders or snakes were dangerous, they had to assume that all spiders and snakes were dangerous if they wanted to survive.  So when we hear something negative about a certain race, gender, creed, etc. are we evolutionary inclined to apply that stereotype to all the members?

Very deep thought Enigma.  I am inclined to lean toward "Yes," but I am not qualified to give a definitive answer.  I do know that the practice of stereotyping amongst like-minded persons brings about positive response.  Perhaps stereotyping is an aspect of social evolution?  Not sure.  Either way, great question Enigma.  

[grasshopper]

As comedian Groucho Marx once famously observed " I would never dream of joining any club that would accept someone like me as a member".

[pert -5]

As comedian Groucho Marx once famously observed " I would never dream of joining any club that would accept someone like me as a member".

Awesome.

[HW7]

I think everyone has certain reactions to certain types of people as a natural reaction, yes.  But like Karaten said, it's how we take that reaction and apply it.  If you get nervous around anglo-saxons and act cautiously around them it's one thing, but if you get nervous around anglo-saxons and turn that into hate, it's a whole other ball game.  But I feel like that goes into what defense mechanisms we use.

(I only used anglo-saxon because I fall into that category.)

[Jtalia]

I would say partially evolutionary, in the fact that our ancient ancestors often feared anything that could be a threat, such as different tribes or civilizations.  Often, those civilizations would fight over who was better.  Part of Human nature.  But I think a lot of it has to do with classical and operant conditioning.  For example, people assume that Muslims are Terrorists, and that ethnicities with a significant Muslim population(South Asians, Southwest Asians) as being terrorists also.  And many people hate and fear people from those countries.  I have always found those Middle Eastern/South Asian cultures fascinating, but my first exposure to anything of anything Middle Eastern was from watching Aladdin, and my Neighbors from India.  Aladdin was not portraying Terrorists, and neither were my Neighbors Terrorists.  In todays day and age, people from Southern and SW Asia live in the USA, and more people are learning firsthand that the terrorist are a small minority.  But from a more evolutionary perspective, there were stereotypes between Christians and Muslims.  The Muslims in the past probably stereotyped the Christians in Europe as violent savages, due to the Crusades, and the Christians of Europe deemed the Middle Eastern Muslims as demonic heretics, due to religious competition.  So it maybe something people have inherited ethnic stereotypes from a long time ago when people did not understand other cultures but their own.  Mostly because one nation would disrupt another nation to force their ways of life, such as religion and culture on another people, and often killed people to get what they wanted.  More of a protective inclination.