Diversity Q & A

Why do people stereotype and assume things about others?

Sujato

We always make snap judgements of others.  Psychological studies have shown that we assess other people a second after we see them.  We should beware of this, and remember that our judgments are sometimes wrong.  The Buddha said that we can only really get to know someone if we live and talk with them for a long time.  So just remember that assumptions are only assumptions.  Test them out – get to know people who are different, and see what they're really like.