Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M2302

Smurfette Principle

Smurfette Principle
CultureHigh supportSociology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Refers to the situation in a group of male characters where there is only one female character (like Smurfette in The Smurfs). Her defining trait is often 'she is female', lacking independent depth of character.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

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Identifying stereotypes. In team building or content creation, if a certain group (women, minorities) appears only as an exception, this is the Smurfette Principle, essentially reflecting a male-centric perspective.

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Pointed out by feminist critics: when there is only one female character (Smurfette) in a group, she is defined as the representative of her gender rather than an individual, reinforcing gender homogeneity.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smurfette_principleZH · Explicit
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