a stable, emotionally colored and generalized idea of the physical, moral, mental and behavioral characteristics of representatives of a certain ethnic group. It arises as a product of a social situation, often contains biases and simplistic images that can be both positive and negative, and is passed down from generation to generation. An ethnic stereotype performs social functions, such as uniting one’s group and forming boundaries in relation to others, and also serves as a basis for group identification and ideological justification of behavior.