Us vs. them: Understanding the neurobiology of stereotypes
(PHYSorg.com Medicine & Health)

Recent studies into how human beings think about members of other social groups reveal that biases sometimes operate beyond our conscious control. Called implicit bias, the tendency to be suspicious of people we perceive as strangers or `not like us` probably evolved early in our ancestry, when small groups of humans competed against each other for precious resources like food and water. Today, our brains` inherent tendency to stereotype can result in discrimination, injustice and conflict.