The arbitrary assigning of habits, abilities, or expectations to a person or group of people based on their race, gender or other visible characteristics; a process in which we tend to treat all members of a particular group as being alike.

Fixed impressions, or exaggerated or preconceived ideas about particular social groups, usually based on race, gender or other visible characteristics.

The danger in relying on stereotypes to guide our thoughts and actions stems from their being:

• Simplified ideas, whether negative or positive in nature
• Overgeneralizations that do not represent all, or perhaps even most individuals within a group
• Designed to enhance our own self-identity
• The foundation for prejudice and discrimination
• Obstacles in getting to know others for whom they are versus who we think they might be.

Even "positive" stereotypes are harmful to those they target. They, like negative stereotypes, result in negative self-image, stress, mental illness, pressure to conform, and ineffective intercultural interactions.