What term refers to the stereotype about state troopers being uniformly aggressive and unfriendly?

The term that best describes the stereotype about state troopers being uniformly aggressive and unfriendly is related to prejudice. Prejudice encompasses preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals based on their membership in a particular group, often leading to generalizations that don't reflect the true nature or behavior of all members of that group. In this context, the stereotype unfairly categorizes all state troopers as aggressive and unfriendly, overlooking individual differences and experiences.

While tabloid thinking involves sensationalized and oversimplified beliefs, and causal oversimplification reduces complex issues to overly simplistic causes, neither directly addresses the societal judgment encapsulated in the concept of prejudice. Rationalization also doesn't apply here, as it refers to providing logical or reasonable explanations for beliefs or actions that may actually be based on emotional responses or prejudices. Thus, prejudice accurately captures the essence of this stereotype about state troopers.