JasonCable.com

People are often categorized into groups based on stereotypes. If one fits a certain criteria they are automatically thought of as belonging to that group whether they want to or not. In the case of self-perpetuating stereotypes, a member of a group acts per the preconceived stereotype, therefore validating the stereotype for others and making it last (Feldman, 2005). Just because I am a gay man does not mean that I am sexually promiscuous. I do listen to Broadway show tunes. Does that make me gay? No. It does, however perpetuate a portion of the stereotype of a gay man therefore passing it on for others to assume of others.

Even people of the group (gay men) will act a certain way so that they feel like they are a part of the group. Conforming to the groups standards can bring on its own stereotypes. According to Carvallo and Pelham (2006) there is a “need to belong” that pervades a particular group. Members of that group often feel that they must act a certain way to feel that they are an integral part of that group. People strive to be part of a group in order that they may be accepted by their peers. I believe that a large part of this acceptance is adopting social stereotypes.

Once accepted into the group and self-perpetuating the group stereotype, one starts believing that they are part of the group. Some believe that having sexual relations with men does not make me gay, but fully crossing my legs, lisping, holding my pinky out when I drink a cosmopolitan, and acting feminine do.

Gay men have their own stereotypes. For instance, they see lesbians as plaid wearing, granola eating, Subaru driving beasts where many straight men find lesbians sexually appealing. Again, pre-judging people based on the “group” they belong to is the basis of all of this. Applying these stereotypes to ourselves and others may seem out of step with “modern” America, it is still a strong force that permeates our society. We in fact are different because we belong to certain groups but only because we make it so.

Carvallo, M. & Pelham, B. W. (2006). When fiends become friends: The need to belong and perceptions of personal and group discrimination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 90, 94-108. Retrieved October 26, 2006, from the PsycARTICLES database.

Tags:   gay · sexNo Comments