Definition

Stereotypes are widely held beliefs about a specific group or idea. They are generalized or over simplified, to the point where they don't accurately represent the entire group of people that they include.

(According to psypress.co.uk) Stereotypes develop because of our need to justify and rationalize our social inequalities, by portraying groups as deserving their social roles and positions based on their characteristics. In other words, we believe in a just world, and think that we get what we deserve and we deserve what we get. This leads to blaming victims for their own misfortunes, and creating stereotypes that blame the situation on the characteristic of the person.