What is the process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same called?

The process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same is referred to as stereotyping. This occurs when an individual makes an assumption about a group based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or other traits, without acknowledging the individual differences within that group. Stereotyping simplifies complex human behaviors into oversimplified beliefs, which can lead to misunderstandings and perpetuation of myths or negative attitudes about that group. Understanding stereotypes is crucial in health sciences, as they may influence how healthcare professionals interact with patients from diverse backgrounds, impacting the quality of care provided.

In contrast, generalization involves making broad statements based on the characteristics of a subset, which can sometimes be more accurate than stereotyping, depending on context. Bias refers to a tendency to favor one group over another, while labeling involves assigning a descriptive term to a person or group but doesn't necessarily imply assumptions about uniformity among individuals.