Stereotyping is the attribution of characteristics to a group of people at the expense of the individuals' identity. We inherit and invent countless assumptions about other groups — some more harmful and some less. But research shows that after an economic shock, harmful stereotyping increases. The researcher put forward two reasons for this:

1. If we see other people as competitors, our competition will increase if resources become scarce.

2. Our mental models become outdated, and we judge people's actions according to criteria we developed in more favorable conditions.

In short, we create scapegoats.