Throughout history, stereotypes have been a incredible source of harm. Stereotypes are an expression of tribalism, where one tribe uses stereotypes not only to attack the perceived outsiders, but also to help maintain conformity within the tribe. They entrench an Us vs. Them approach to reality that places more value on the group than the individual.

People of faith should not rely on stereotypes. Jesus himself looked past the stereotypes associated with prostitutes and tax-collectors to invite individual prostitutes and tax-collectors into his inner circle. The reliance on stereotype would not only have dehumanized the individual person, but would have stood as an obstacle for such a life-changing experience. What’s more, I think stereotypes encourage three of the seven deadly sins. They encourage pride, as we tend to stereotype different people as if they are intellectually, physically, morally, or emotionally inferior to ourselves. Stereotypes encourage wrath, as they tend to inflame our dislike and even hatred of those who look, think, and live differently than ourselves. Lastly, they encourage sloth, as the reliance on stereotypes is a form of intellectual laziness, where we would rather rely on preconceptions than take the time and mental energy to understand a new person or idea.

People of reason should not rely on stereotypes. Reliance on stereotypes violates the principles of critical thinking and, as just mentioned, encourages intellectual laziness. Stereotypes create a strong temptation to rely on group think rather than independent thinking. Stereotypes tap into our emotional brain rather than intellect. It is thus not surprising that stereotypes are used so extensively by corporations to sell their needless products – it’s a means of bypassing our thinking.

Of course, we are all only human and all rely on stereotypes to some degree or another. They exist as part of the human brain’s attempt to categorize and make sense of the outside world. The key is whether we have the ability to recognize when we are relying on stereotypes and, if so, have the ability to question ourselves and change our approach to the world. And others.