Stereotypes are illogical because they justify categories via circular essence attributions

Evidence

These explanations often take tautological, essentialistic forms. Anti-Semitism, for example, invariably “finds its rationalization in some presumed aspect of ‘Jewish essence’” (Allport, 1954/1979, p. 195). The same perceiver may criticize Jews (or Asians, or whomever) at one convenient moment for being inherently “clannish” and at other times for intrusively forcing themselves upon others. The categorization function explains why stereotypes are undifferentiated and overgeneralized; the justification function explains why they are so often illogical and contrary to fact. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1371

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies that stereotypes serve twin functions: categorization (explaining overgeneralization) and justification (explaining illogic).
• QUESTION: Worth chasing: does the tautological ‘essence’ structure also explain resistance of stereotypes to disconfirming evidence?