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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cadence" data-source="post: 8529086" data-attributes="member: 6701124">RE: Stereotypes vs. SchemaYour definition leaves part of it out.Going for a standard dictionary (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate, used by the Chicago Manual of Style), stereotype is noted as especially for the negative case."2 : something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; esp : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment"In the OED's definition 'preconceived' and 'oversimplified' don't seem positive:"A preconceived and oversimplified idea of the characteristics which typify a person, situation, etc.; an attitude based on such a preconception. Also, a person who appears to conform closely to the idea of a type."Two of the quotes seem to back this:1935   G. W. Allport in C. Murchison Handbk. Social Psychol. xvii. 809   Attitudes which result in gross oversimplifications of experience and in prejudgements…are commonly called biases, prejudices, or stereotypes.1948   D. Krech & R. S. Crutchfield Theory & Probl. Social Psychol. ii. v. 171   The concept of stereotype..refers to two different things. (1)..a tendency for a given belief to be widespread in a society... (2)..a tendency for a belief to be oversimplified in content and unresponsive to the objective facts.----The American Psychological Association makes one of the widely used academic style guides.  They seem to contrast it with schema and note in their Inclusive Language Guidelines that:"A [stereotype is a] set of cognitive generalizations (e.g., beliefs, expectations) about the qualities and characteristics of the members of agroup or social category. Stereotypes, like schemas, simplify and expedite perceptions and judgments, but they are oftenexaggerated, negative rather than positive, and resistant to revision even when perceivers encounter individuals withqualities that are not congruent with the stereotype (APA, n.d.)."A brief post on the benefits and dangers of schema is at <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/schema-definition-4691768" target="_blank">What Is a Schema in Psychology? Definition and Examples</a> .    Like the APA, it seems to take schema as neutral and stereotype as negative.The same dictionary as above gives schema (with no negative connotation) as:"a mental codification of experience that includes a particular organized way of perceiving cognitively and responding to a complex situation or set of stimuli"---In practice, we have from CBC Radio-Canada's guidelines:We avoid generalizations, stereotypes and any degrading or offensive words or images that could feed prejudice or expose people to hatred or contempt.Similarly, from the BBC Editorial Guidelines:5.3.39 We aim to reflect the diverse communities of the United Kingdom in our services. Content may reflect the prejudices and disadvantages which exist in societies worldwide but we should not perpetuate them. In some instances, references to disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, faith, race, etc may be relevant to portrayal. However, we should avoid careless or offensive stereotypical assumptions and people should only be described in such terms when editorially justified.In reporting or portraying events or situations concerning indigenous or tribal people we should avoid stereotyping them. We should reflect their current cultural norms and experiences with due accuracy.See Guidance: Reporting and Portrayal of Indigenous Peoples5.3.40 When it is within audience expectations, we may feature a portrayal or stereotype that has been exaggerated for comic effect, but we must be aware that audiences may find casual or purposeless stereotypes to be offensive.</blockquote>

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