Question

how do stereotypes prevent us from looking at people as unique individuals?

Answer 1

The stereotypes prevent us from looking at people as unique individuals because the same it give rise to number of negative factors like:
It creates inferiority and superiority complex.
It gives rise to bias and discrimination towards others as people of elite class labels people of lower classes as impure and untouchables.
The negative attitudes and stereotyped beliefs eclipse our sense of vision where we often become blind hence unable to treat each and everyone as equal .