“Researchers from Scotland suggest that stereotypes form and evolve over time through social transmission of information, similar to the way in which languages evolve. The research team led by Dr. Doug Martin of the Person Perception Lab at the University of Aberdeen used a technique they have used previously to study the evolution of language. They invented a series of aliens and randomly assigned them different colors, shapes and attributes such as selfishness, adventurousness, arrogance or trustfulness. A volunteer was then called in to learn about the aliens and memorize their personality traits and physical attributes. The volunteer then relayed this information to the researchers, who passed it on to the next volunteer, and so on down a communication chain. What they discovered was that stereotypes began to form almost immediately and particular shapes and colors became linked with personality traits. As it passed down the communication chain the information was unintentionally changed and simplified, and became more structured and thus easier to learn.”
Study demonstrates evolution of stereotypes (via wildcat2030)
(via diablerie-clusterfuck)
