Which word best matches the definition: A widely held but oversimplified idea about a group of people?

• A. Status
• B. Structure
• C. Stereotype
• D. Steadfast

Answer: (C)

A stereotype is a widely held but oversimplified belief about a group of people. This captures why it fits the definition: it’s a generalization applied to all members of a group, often ignoring individual differences and reducing complex people to simple traits. Other words don’t fit that sense—the idea of status relates to social rank, structure to how something is organized, and steadfast to being firm or unwavering. An example would be assuming all members of a group share the same characteristic, which shows how a stereotype generalizes rather than describes individuals.