Abstract

_How Stereotypes Deceives Us_ aims to illuminate the conditions under which stereotypes and stereotyping lead to misperceptions and misjudgements, but what exactly are stereotypes and what is stereotyping? This chapter defends the definitions of stereotypes and stereotyping that are adopted throughout this book. In particular, this chapter defends a non-normative conception of stereotyping, according to which stereotypes can be accurate or inaccurate, and stereotyping can be distorting or non-distorting. Existing arguments in favour of the non-normative account are critically evaluated before a pragmatic argument is presented and defended. It is argued that stereotypes should be defined as comparative social attitudes that make distinctions between social groups. Reasons are given for accepting that social attitudes other than beliefs, including implicit attitudes, should count as stereotypes.