viewpoint

"It is characteristic of viewpoints that they are under the strong influence of social factors, and among all the personal characteristics, they have the strongest influence on political and cultural happenings among people (Nastran.Ule, 199:92) In the life of an individual, viewpoints have many functions. They protect us from the realities of life and negative cognition about us. People also have a need to express those viewpoints which enable them to express notions that reflect their central values. The adaptive function of viewpoints is also very important. An, finally, viewpoints also help us to classify new information and experience. In this way they help us to simplify the complexity of the world in which we live (ibidem,p.98). The adherence to a certain group, information, knowledge and personal characteristics have a strong influence on the formation of viewpoints (ibidem,p.105)"
Nena Zidov, Prejudices and stereotypes as a possible interpretative model for ethnology.