While sitting in class, take a look around you. It’s likely that while you glance over your fellow classmates you’re categorizing them in some way. But how often are our judgments completely wrong?

Everyone falls into a least one stereotype. Stereotyping makes it easier to group the people we encounter and often affects our decision whether to approach them or not, ultimately affecting the friends we choose.

In a study by Myron Friesen, a Canterbury University researcher and psychologist, Friesen says that stereotyping occurs when we meet a new person and our brain tries to assess them quickly on factors such as nationality and occupation.

“We’re forced to rely on these short cuts,” he says. “There’s no way our brains could ever process all the detailed new information about everybody we meet.”

Friesen then goes on to say that we use stereotypes to make ourselves feel good. “I often think that it’s part of our basic need for importance or identity, and also connectivity—being connected to other people who are also important: ‘I have a certain level of social worth because I’m part of this group’.”

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood sums up fashion and stereotypes in a way most of us can agree with, “I’m not trying to do something different. I’m trying to do the same thing but in a different way.”

We all want to feel like individuals while still being a part of society, and be associated with certain groups that we think are cool, whether it’s influenced by music, fashion, or a lifestyle.

The following are photos of various San Francisco residents and students from SF State. Glance at their pictures, judge them accordingly, then read on to see how your judgment compares to their visions and descriptions of themselves.

1. Scott Garnes, 23, studied graphic design before moving to the Bay Area.

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: I don't really have a set image that I wish for people to perceive me as. I dress relevant to my interests and likes but I have no belief that anyone will interpret them in the same manner as the next person, much less in any way I would. I would like to be seen as following my own tastes and expressing myself along those lines.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: When people see me, they define me by stereotypes of a young, white male and then will probably perceive me along stereotypes of what they know of the Goth or punk subcultures because that’s the easiest way for them to define me.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: If I'm dressed particularly shabby, I get a lot of negative reactions from high-end businesses, such as restaurants or stores, and if I'm dressed formally, then I take more flak from the lower classes, such as the gutter punks on Haight, or the like.

2. Hannah Birch-Carl, 19, theatre/performance major

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: I guess, if it really came down to it, I want people to see me as someone who's creative and willing to put new touches on classic styles.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: I think people may tend to immediately perceive me as someone who might be consistently negative or rude. I used to have a 12-inch black and purple Mohawk. I think people might've found that intimidating. I've had people tell me that they thought I was the typical Goth or punk snob until they had gotten to know me.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: Aside from the usual comments about Satan worship or whether or not I have vampire-like tendencies, I've had people make assumptions about my family life, my emotional well-being, even my sexuality, all based solely off of my appearance. Just because I was a girl with a shaved head that automatically meant I was gay and just because I wear black I automatically must hate my parents and want to kill myself, right? The worst was when someone thought I was an Evanescence fan, that's just wrong.

3. Matt Shlapak, 19, music and business management major

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: I don't consciously try to put forward any type of image. I do what I feel is right. I treat people how I want to be treated and wear what is comfortable. I don't sit there in the morning and think to myself, “Hmm…if I wear this shirt, people will think that I'm awesome.” That's pretty lame in my opinion. The type of image that I want to put forward is of who I am.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: People probably peg me as a stoner these days because I am heavily into music and used to have long hair on a regular basis. People also judge me because I am from L.A. People who have never been to Southern California automatically think every person down there is rich, stuck-up, very self-centered, and shallow. While granted, there are some there who fall into that description, they probably account for about 10 percent of the population. I'd go as far as to say that there are more of those types up here than down there.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: Yes, I was at a party that was hosted by a certain frat that I probably shouldn't name. I was wearing my black L.A. hat, talking to some patrons of this frat. They saw my hat and immediately assumed I was some rich kid from Beverley Hills-all about my self-image and being self-centered. Of course, as they displayed these views of me I disagreed, which eventually led to them threatening violence against me for being from L.A.

4. Molly Stetson, 21, raza studies/photojournalism/global peace studies

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: I don't know if I WANT people to see me as anything. I don't try to draw attention to myself, especially with clothes. I wear stuff that I like to wear-clothes and shoes that I can walk my dog in, spend 12 hours in, take pictures in (roll around on the ground in), ride my bike in, etc.-cheap, practical, comfortable, and stuff that I like the look of.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: White girl, tight pants, short hair, American Apparel stuff, and leggings with skirts, flats, and tattoos...I think it kinda speaks for itself.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: There are the girl-fashion stereotypes where people assume that, because I'm a girl, it takes me a long time to get ready (it doesn't), or that I love to shop (I hate shopping). If people want to treat me differently because of the pants or shoes or sunglasses I wear, that's their thing, not mine.

5. Vernon Carandang, 20, kinesiology major

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: The type of image I put forward is someone who is confident. By the way I dress I do not consciously try to put forward a particular image. I just dress the way I like.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: By the way I dress people may see me as a bad person and/or someone who is cocky. But by the way I carry myself people may see me as the complete opposite, since I am a nice guy.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: Yes, I have been treated and labeled as a troublemaker, though I am not.

6. Sawsan Taleb-Agha, 22, health education major

Q: What type of image do you consciously put forward? How do you WANT people to see you?

A: The image that I put forth to others is that I am simply a Muslim woman trying to get the greatest success in life. I want people to know that my life is fully devoted to God and that my success only comes through His will. I'm confident in who I am, what I do, and the choices I make. I want people to see me as a respectful human being who cares about others. I want people to see me as a liberal but conservative, humble but confident, and sweet but firm woman. I want people to see me as someone who always stands up for her rights and never lets go from her endeavors. I want people to see me as a woman of success, knowledge and great ability. I want people to respect me for who I am, what I do and what I believe.

Q: How do you think other people may perceive you, based on stereotypes?

A: Based on the latest stereotype of Muslim women, I think some educated people see me as a respectful woman who has the ability to make her own decisions. Ignorant people might think I'm oppressed and that my life is controlled by male dominance, but that is not the case. But I feel like some of today’s American society, such as the media, is trying hard to influence Americans with ignorant beliefs in order to overpower Muslim populations. Most people that know about and respect my religion are people that read about it, and who are friends or acquaintances with other Muslims. That’s why it is very important for us to show people who we are through our actions so they won’t think of us in the way the media portrays us.

Q: Have you ever been treated or labeled stereotypically? If so, based on what stereotypes?

A: I have been labeled stereotypically but most people just ask me questions like "Are you allowed to drive a car? Do you have to always walk behind your men?"…etc. But some of the worst experiences I've had were with people who just make fun of the way I cover myself with the hijab (veil). Some people just scream at my face, "Why don’t you take that diaper off your head." Some people are fake about it, i.e. "Oh, I love how you people dress!" The way I react to it depends on what they say. If someone says something out right ridiculous or is trying to make an argument, I'll try talking things out with them so they can understand my religion the way I do. With people who just say ignorant comments, I'll just ignore them. With people who ask me questions just to bother me, I just answer the question and try to avoid further interaction.
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