Stereotypes are widely held and rather simplified beliefs about a specific group of people.
Groups are often stereotypes based on their sexual orientation, gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, age, language, social status and many more.
Stereotypes makes subjects look very simple, ignoring both the complexity and the diversity found when dealing with actual people or situations.
Stereotypes are not a sound basis for making interpretations or judgments. Stereotypes threats mean being reduced to the stereotypes of a particular group, which one is identified with.
Some stereotypes persist over years and even generations, making it difficult for people to change their way of thinking about others.