刻板印象 (kèbǎn yìnxiàng)

刻板印象 refers to a fixed and oversimplified generalization about a particular group of people. It is a key concept in social psychology and discussions about discrimination and identity. Unlike 偏见 (prejudice), which is emotional, 刻板印象 is primarily cognitive — it is about how people categorize and simplify social information.

Meanings

noun stereotype, fixed image, oversimplified generalization about a group

Example Sentences

刻板印象往往忽视了个体差异。 Kèbǎn yìnxiàng wǎngwǎng hūshì le gètǐ chāyì. Stereotypes often ignore individual differences.

媒体报道有时会强化对女性的刻板印象。 Méitǐ bàodào yǒushí huì qiánghuà duì nǚxìng de kèbǎn yìnxiàng. Media coverage sometimes reinforces stereotypes about women.

打破刻板印象需要不断的教育和交流。 Dǎpò kèbǎn yìnxiàng xūyào bùduàn de jiàoyù hé jiāoliú. Breaking stereotypes requires ongoing education and exchange.

他对这个职业有强烈的刻板印象。 Tā duì zhège zhíyè yǒu qiángliè de kèbǎn yìnxiàng. He had a strong stereotype about this profession.

研究发现刻板印象会影响人的表现。 Yánjiū fāxiàn kèbǎn yìnxiàng huì yǐngxiǎng rén de biǎoxiàn. Research finds that stereotypes can affect a person's performance.

接触多元文化有助于减少刻板印象。 Jiēchù duōyuán wénhuà yǒuzhù yú jiǎnshǎo kèbǎn yìnxiàng. Exposure to diverse cultures helps reduce stereotypes.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
打破刻板印象	to break stereotypes
强化刻板印象	to reinforce stereotypes
性别刻板印象	gender stereotypes
种族刻板印象	racial stereotypes
刻板印象威胁	stereotype threat

Usage Notes

刻板印象 is a four-character phrase: 刻板 means "rigid/inflexible" and 印象 means "impression/image." Together they describe an impression that is rigidly fixed. This term is used primarily in academic, journalistic, and formal contexts.

In casual conversation, Chinese speakers might use 成见 or 偏见 to express similar ideas, but 刻板印象 is the precise psychological term for "stereotype."

Memory Hook

刻板 means "rigid/carved in stone" and 印象 means "impression" — a stereotype is an impression carved in stone, unchanging and inflexible.