The expectations or pictures of outside-groups can be called stereotypes or prejudices. Therefore strangeness is not only a social problem of somebody who is new in a group or has a new experience, it is also a problem of expectations towards other social entities. Strangeness occurs when the expectations are not met by others. Its behaviour is seen as 'negative'. The classifications of strangers with stereotypes or prejudices do not develop out of itself but have their ground in every socialisation.
Classifications are safety mechanisms of the self to avoid the incapacity of action.
Stereotyping can become dangerous if we give away our ability to see and judge for ourselves to people who we think competent to overlook complex situations. If these ' specialists' of perception and interpretation have access to mass media and also have political motifs of presenting strangeness in a certain light, this can have fatal effects on a society. The possibilities range from mere helping of understanding to political propaganda. Strangeness becomes a threat. If people are sure enough of themselves and their identity and have sufficient possibilities and the ability to handle and interpret information they are the ones who can win from experiences with the unknown.