Stereotyping Is a Brain Function
Extremely interesting:
Brain division could help explain stereotyping, religious conflict and racism.
How do we know what another person is thinking? New research suggests we use the same brain region that we do when thinking about ourselves — but only as long as we judge the person to be similar to us. When second-guessing the opinions and feelings of those unlike ourselves, this brain region does not get involved, the new research shows. This may mean we are more likely to fall back on stereotyping — potentially helping to explain the causes of social tensions such as racism or religious disputes.
Neuroscientists led by Adrianna Jenkins of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, made the discovery when trying to deduce how the brain weighs up the thoughts of others. As Jenkins explains, judging how others are feeling is a valuable social skill, because we have no way of seeing inside another person’s head. “How do we go about bridging the gap between our minds and others’ minds?” Jenkins asks.
The answer seems to be that it depends on whether we feel we identify with that person or not, Jenkins says. In other words, how our brain handles the question of someone’s attitude to anything, from traffic jams to impressionist art, depends entirely on how we feel we relate to them as a person.
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March 19th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
[...] Tololyâs Box created an interesting post today on Stereotyping Is a Brain FunctionHere’s a short outline [...]
March 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
As Jenkins explains, judging how others are feeling is a valuable social skill, because we have no way of seeing inside another person’s head. “How do we go about bridging the gap between our minds and others’ minds?” Jenkins asks.
There is something is called ‘"EMPATHY"" Like in I undestand how Warrior Craig suffers as B.Hussein Obama heads to the White House.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
This seems likely to be true to me. I think we all have pre-conceptions of what somebody who is different from us is like. The thing of it is, the type of stereotype people have is dependent on their personality and their past experiences with members of that group. Some people like Ahriman are nasty individuals, and have mean-spirited and bigoted stereotypes, and others are kind and have generous (maybe even overly generous) stereotypes.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
"Some people like Ahriman are nasty individuals, and have mean-spirited and bigoted stereotypes, and others are kind and have generous (maybe even overly generous) stereotypes."
Why you pick on me Craig,why, please why, you stereotype me you naughty boy, have some empathy Craigy Iam just minding my own business campaigning for Obama, doing my bit for the country before it goes to the dogs plus Iam told he is going after skinheads and KKKs but don’t you worry warrior all you need is a wig and a shot of melanine and some sun and you will be fine
March 19th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Why you pick on me Craig
Because, when it comes to intensely negative stereotyping, you are the number one perpetrator on this blog. As you just demonstrated, yet again. You think racism and religious bigotry is funny, don’t you?
And you are just the kind of supporter Obama needs right about now. I’m sure he is very grateful for the help of people like you :P
March 20th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Helloooo Craig, seriousely you don’t believe what you just said, I don’t want to copy and paste your abuse, and threatening individuals ,countries and muslims and catholics alike. To be frank I abhor your opinions but I don’t dislike you as a person, heck, I may even grow to like you because you speak your mind at least, but it is a given that you are misguided soul who must open his mind to other opinions and cultures that are simply different and not necessarily bad and to realize that this globe is not your playground but to be shared equally with others. Throwing a tantrum and resorting to abuse and filthy language do not a civilized discussion make. If we listen to John Hagee or Jeremiah Right for that matter we are going to self-destruct. And don’t remind me of power and numbers we all know from current and past history that they neither work nor matter at the end of the day
March 20th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Throwing a tantrum and resorting to abuse and filthy language do not a civilized discussion make.
I’ve never had a "civilized" discussion with you, Ahriman. How could I? You aren’t a civilized person. You are a sarcastic, bigoted and abusive person. The very first comment I ever saw you make on this blog was when you were belittling Christians, as I recall. Your high opinion of your own merits is astonishing, under the circumstances.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:16 am
"I’ve never had a "civilized" discussion with you, Ahriman. How could I? You aren’t a civilized person. You are a sarcastic, bigoted and abusive person. The very first comment I ever saw you make on this blog was when you were belittling Christians, as I recall. Your high opinion of your own merits is astonishing, under the circumstances"""
I recall I said christians are our friends and collegus and peers and are an integral part of Jordan’s society with the exception of the unwelcome few trouble makers evangelists who were deported and on the recommendation and approval of the Board of Churches of Jordan. Jordan is a fairly democratic and civilized country open to all peace loving people but not to divisive entities with an agenda.
you still abuse but are not going to make me reciprocate doing that will be UNCIVILIZED.
Iam following Obama campaign on CNN now ,his speach met with standing ovation in Pennsylvania, the audience? white and black and brown and yellow but did not see any KKK.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:05 am
blah blah blah.
March 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Imagine how much trouble we’d be in if everyone was telepathic.