A Review of the Definitions of Stereotype and a Proposal for a Progressional Model
Author(s): Shunsuke Kanahara
Abstract: There has not been a concrete definition for stereotype, a term used broadly by theorists and researchers. In this article, the various definitions within the literature on stereotype are reviewed, and the two components considered to be most important in describing what the term is, belief and group concept, are presented. In this article a definition of stereotype is proposed, ‘a belief about a group of individuals.’ A belief about an individual who is from the stereotyped group is designated as ‘an application of stereotype.’ Furthermore, it is shown that stereotype is a kind of generalization, and that a previous experience, called specification, is required to establish generalization in many cases. A progressional model that goes from specification to stereotype to the application of stereotype, is demonstrated. Research hypotheses originated from the model are also addressed.
Pages: 306-321
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