What term describes an expectation that all people in a particular group will have the same qualities or act the same?

The term that describes the expectation that all people in a particular group will have the same qualities or act the same is a stereotype. Stereotypes simplify complex human traits by generalizing certain characteristics to an entire group, often based on observable traits such as race, gender, or age. This can lead to misconceptions about individuals, as it ignores personal differences and experiences.

Understanding stereotypes is crucial in Family and Consumer Science, as they can impact relationships, communication, and societal interactions. In contrast, generalization involves making broad statements based on specific examples but does not necessarily imply that everyone in the group behaves uniformly. Assumptions are beliefs taken for granted without proof, and preferences denote choices or likes without implying any uniformity across a group.