Stereotypes justify existing social arrangements, enabling false consciousness.

Evidence

Stereotypes are used – implicitly and explicitly – to justify much more than “love-prejudice” and “hate-prejudice.” They imbue existing forms of social arrangements with meaning and legitimacy; they preserve and bolster the status quo. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1415 (#expands, via linked claim)

Beginnings, which was produced before Said had thought of reinventing himself as the defender of Islam against stereotypes and generalizations, contains some remarkable instances of just that sort of thing, for example: ‘It is significant that the desire to create an alternative world, to modify, or augment the real world through the act of writing… is inimical to the Islamic world-view.’ While on the subject of stereotypes, it is worth considering whether it is possible or even desirable to dispense with them altogether. As a leading mathematician has pointed out: ‘many stereotypes permit the economy of expression necessary for rapid communication and effective functioning. Chair is a stereotype, but one never hears complaints from bar stools, recliners, bean bags, art deco pieces, high-back dining-room varieties, precious antiques, chaises longues, or kitchen instances of the notion.’ — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 505 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Social role arrangement alone produces justifying stereotypes in both parties. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology: Key Readings, 2914; False consciousness makes people hold beliefs contrary to their own interests; People stereotype themselves and their own groups to justify existing social arrangements — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2960 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Stereotypes justify existing social arrangements and preserve the status quo #expands (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1415
• Stereotypes can enable efficient thought rather than only distort it #complicates (0.75) — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 505