population stereotype

A Dictionary of Psychology

population stereotype n. In a situation of seemingly arbitrary choice, a particular option that is chosen by a large proportion of a given population, or an expectation, interpretation, or a manner of perceiving, thinking, or behaving that is statistically prominent within the population. For example, most people in the US and Europe unconsciously expect a knob on an electrical appliance to increase the appliance's output when it is turned clockwise and to decrease the output when it is turned anticlockwise, but they expect a water or gas tap or faucet to function in exactly the opposite way, decreasing the flow when it is turned clockwise and increasing the flow when it is turned anticlockwise, and controls that do not function in the expected ways cause irritation, inefficiency, and operator errors. Another example, often used by conjurors and people pretending to have telepathic powers, is the marked preference that emerges when people are asked to draw two geometric figures, one inside the other: research reveals that more than one-third of people draw a triangle and circle. Also (informally) called a pop-type. See also three-seven effect.

Find more facts and information related to the .
© A Dictionary of Psychology 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001.

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

	Turning gears. ; If gear A is turned clockwise, in what direction will gear B turn? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Clockwise [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Read more
	Security plug seals and protects drums. (New Products). ; ...padlockable security plugs. This plug works with a heavy-duty rubber gasket that expands as the high torque wing nut is turned clockwise by hand to form a liquid and airtight seal. Once the plug is securely tightened, a padlock is installed to lock the wing... Read more
	GOLF GURU.(Sports) ; ...that starts in that direction immediately, here's what I have to do to upgrade my vehicle: 1. My grip might be too strong (turned clockwise to the right). As a righthander, the back of my right hand and the palm of my left hand should point slightly to the right... Read more
	Two teens in hospital after fiery wreck: Local business workers tried to help trapped passengers. ; ...said a gray Oldsmobile was heading north on U.S. 385 when the driver drove over standing water. Sanders said the car then turned clockwise and went airborne before it made contact and wrapped around a pole in the parking lot of Harlow-Sammons Air Specialists... Read more
	Moira Martingale's world on Wednesday: Men who are glad to be grey. ; Ever wondered whether airport carousels turned clockwise or anti-clockwise? Ever thought about taking up tractor-spotting because trainspotting is too exciting? Do you worry about bath... Read more
	Don't let left arm dominate the swing.(Sports) ; ...before. If you are hitting the ball with a closed clubface, for example, it is possible that your grip was too strong (turned clockwise under the grip) to start with. Also, it should be remembered that the hit is best executed with an instinctive action... Read more
	New method of soil and overburden drilling. (Rotex Oy's rock-drills) ; ...which acts against the ring bit, and not through the casing tube. After the overburden hole is complete, the pilot bit is turned anticlockwise in the ring bit releasing it from the bayonet coupling, and is withdrawn from the casing tube. Conventional hard rock... Read more
	A quick steer on how Formula One has reinvented the wheel ; ...wheel" meant a wheel with which you steer are long gone. In the last 16 years what was once simply a round thing to be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise has become something resembling a mini-spaceship. The original features - buttons for radio communication... Read more
	SECO Thumb Release bipods. (New & Notable). ; ...TwistLoc locking mechanism and SECO's original Thumb Release adjustable telescopic legs. As with all SECO Thumb Release bipods, the thumb buttons serve a dual purpose; they can easily be turned clockwise or counter clockwise to adjust leg tension. Read more
	CENTERVILLE BRIDGE FACES NEEDED REPAIRS.(LOCAL) ; ...morning. In the meantime, the bridge was being opened and closed manually by four city workers. Wheels on each bank are turned clockwise to swing the bridge open for boat traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway, and counterclockwise for automobile traffic. About... Read more

For more facts and information, see all related premium articles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	pop-type pop-type n. An informal name for a population stereotype . Read more
	Cultural Competence ...compared to the U.S. population as a whole. In addition...more challenged as the population becomes more ethnically...future health of the U.S. population as a whole will be influenced...health care practitioners stereotype, misinterpret, make faulty...to all segments of the population. ... Read more
	knobs-and-dials psychology ...placement of instrument panels and controls, taking into account population stereotypes and findings from research into perception and other relevant areas of psychology. See also population stereotype . Read more
	three-seven effect three-seven effect n. A phenomenon, based on population stereotypes , that is often used by stage conjurors pretending...of the number 37, partly because 3 and 7 are population stereotypes and partly because, surprisingly, the performer... Read more
	less ...less problems than long hair [as pron. ] a population of less than 200,000. • adj. archaic...than to Kate's voice that this is a positive stereotype makes it no less a stereotype. ∎  ( less than ) far from; certainly... Read more

See all related entries