Final answer:
A stereotype is an oversimplified and often incorrect generalization about a group that does not take individual differences into account. Stereotypes can be the basis for prejudiced attitudes and are not always accurate, as they do not account for the diversity within groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
A stereotype is a generalization made about an individual or group. This generalization often comes from inadequate or biased evidence, and it is important to understand that stereotypes can be misleading. For instance, saying that star athletes can't do basic math is a hasty generalization because it assumes that a small, possibly non-representative sample is true for the entire group.
One must be cautious with generalizations; they can be useful for describing trends within groups, but they often fail to reflect the individual variances. Empirical statements about a group do not hold true for all of its members. Stereotypes can sometimes develop into prejudiced attitudes and incorrect beliefs about members of the group, as seen in studies citing negative assumptions about different races or ages.
Generalizations, like the rule of thumb, are not always accurate because they cannot account for all the individual differences that exist within a group. Learning about stereotypes is critical for understanding the effects they have in society and why it is important to challenge them when they are used to make overarching claims about a group.