Excerpt from Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication, edited by Milton J. Bennet ---

Stereotypes arise when we act as if all members of a culture or group share the same characteristics. Stereotypes can be attached to any assumed indicator of group membership, such as race, religion, ethicity, age or gender, as well as national culture. The characteristics that are assumedly shared by members of the group may be respected by the observer, in which case it is a POSITIVE STEREOTYPE. In the more likely case that the characteristics are disrespected, it is a NEGATIVE STEREOTYPE. Stereotypes of both kinds are problematic in intercultural communication for several obvious reasons. One is that they may give us a false sense of understanding our communication partners. Additionally, stereotypes may become self-fulfilling prophecies, where we observe others in selective ways that confirm our prejudice.