What function do stereotypes serve in social perception?

Stereotypes serve the function of simplifying complex social information, allowing individuals to form expectations about others based on generalized traits associated with particular groups. When faced with new social encounters, individuals draw on their existing stereotypes as mental shortcuts to quickly evaluate and interpret behaviors of others. This cognitive efficiency helps to navigate social interactions in everyday life by categorizing people into easily manageable groups, though it may overlook individual differences and nuances. By facilitating rapid judgments, stereotypes can aid individuals in making sense of their environments, despite the potential pitfalls of misrepresentation and bias that can arise from oversimplifying the richness of human behavior.