A stereotype is applied to an individual regardless of their:

1. The defining feature of a stereotype is what it ignores. 2. A stereotype is a specific belief or assumption about individuals based solely on their membership in a group. 3. It is applied regardless of their individual characteristics. 4. That is precisely why stereotypes so often turn out to be wrong about any particular person. 5. Group membership is what the stereotype uses rather than what it ignores. _Source: OpenStax Psychology 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 'Social Psychology', sections 12.1-12.5_