Stereotypes help us understand why people behave as they do, and they can help guide our behavior. However, they
A) are always negative.
B) are sometimes applied in ways that underestimate the potential of the person we are observing.
C) are resistant to change.
D) always overestimate the abilities of older persons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stereotypes can be both positive and negative, so option A is incorrect. Option B is correct because stereotyping can lead to underestimating someone's abilities based on assumptions about their identity. Option C is also correct because stereotypes can be difficult to change even when confronted with evidence that contradicts them. Option D is incorrect because stereotypes can either overestimate or underestimate someone's abilities, and it is not necessarily tied to age.

Stereotypes Help Us Understand Why People Behave as They Do