Final answer:
Stereotypes significantly influence our interactions with others, as this is a true statement. They can lead to confirmation bias and self-fulfilling prophecies, impacting our perception and treatment of individuals based on group membership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stereotypes deeply influence how we react to one another. The statement is true. When we encounter a person, our initial reactions and interactions are often colored by preconceived notions and oversimplified generalizations we hold about the group to which we perceive that person belongs. These stereotypes can be positive or negative, and they affect our expectations and treatment of individuals.
When we specifically look for information that verifies our stereotypes, we are engaging in confirmation bias. This phenomenon occurs when we give more weight to evidence that supports our pre-existing beliefs while disregarding information that contradicts them. An example provided in the context of stereotypes is how we might notice and remember instances that reinforce our beliefs about a certain group, such as a stereotype that older people are bad drivers, but overlook or rationalize evidence that goes against this stereotype.
Self-fulfilling prophecies can also arise from stereotypes. When our expectations based on stereotypes affect our behavior towards others, it can influence them to behave in ways that confirm our expectations. This cycle perpetuates the stereotype and can have real consequences on the individuals targeted.