Glossary / Lexicon

Stereotyping refers to an assumption that all members of a group are the same. Stereotyping is dangerous because it oversimplifies the many differences among people of the same group. For example, assuming that all children who grow up in poor neighborhoods will resort to drugs and violence is stereotyping. It may be true of some poor children, but not all. Stereotyping can lead to serious misunderstandings and can hinder the conflict resolution process.