Why do Americans love "labels" so darn much? (crimes, live in)

[Ron.]

Middle class

Lower class

minority

liberal

conservative

etc........


We have a fixation with putting labels on people and ourselves. Why?

Does it make us feel good or better when we label someone that is "not like us"?

[LASam]

It's not just Americans, it's humans in general. We have a tendency to want to group things together for better understanding.

[Rhymes with Best Coast]

The marketing and advertising industry plays a psychological role in making people think they want, even need these kinds of things.

[thepinksquid]

Is this not prevalent in other countries? I would highly doubt it's exclusive to Americans.

[pipsky]

Originally Posted by thepinksquid

Is this not prevalent in other countries? I would highly doubt it's exclusive to Americans.

I'm from England and totally agree with this comment....

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by Ron.

Middle class

Lower class

minority

liberal

conservative

etc........


We have a fixation with putting labels on people and ourselves. Why?

Does it make us feel good or better when we label someone that is "not like us"?

Good question....all cultures do this, so it seems to be part of how we think. However, I believe that in our times especially; these "labels" are used to pit one group against another or for blaming certain groups for all our problems.

Sometimes I think governments encourage such divisive behavior because if each group is blaming etc. another group; then the liklihood of everyone joining and working together is severly diminished. This ensures the power base of said government can maintain control, without fear of the people trying to overthrow or change said government.

It is a psychological move like putting "horseblinders" on people and manipulating the populace.Moderator cut: off topic And these are my opinions from a long life of seeing too much B.S. in politics. Remember "The Prince" by Machiavelli????

[skinem]

Originally Posted by LASam

It's not just Americans, it's humans in general. We have a tendency to want to group things together for better understanding.

Yup. The times I've been overseas and the times I've had foreign exchange students here I've had some interesting conversations.

Let's see...according to the conversations I've had, many foreigners thought that we Americans were:

All loud.
All slobs.
All rich.
All fat.
All carry guns.
All dress like sluts.
All act like sluts.
All are Bible-beaters.
All see crimes committed daily.
All commit crimes daily.
Still ride horses.
Still lived in teepees and have trouble with the occasional "Indian uprising".
Act like John Wayne.
Act like Dirty Harry.
Use drugs.
Sell drugs.
Go to church daily.
Want to bomb everyone.
Bomb the wrong ones.
Blindly support our government.
Throw our weight around too much.
Don't throw it around enough.
Live in the city.
Live on a ranch.

Just a sampling of some of the more common misconceptions. My most common reaction is generally, "Thanks, Hollywood!"

People everywhere are just more comfortable labeling people--it's helps us come to terms with what we don't know and make sense--however wrong it may be--of the world.

[goodburger]

lol most of my america is:
All loud.
All slobs.
All carry guns.
All dress like sluts.
All act like sluts.
All see crimes committed daily.
All commit crimes daily.
Use drugs.
Sell drugs.
Go to church daily.
Live in the city.
lol