Characterisation is really important to me, and I'm a bit obsessive I suppose

I've been thinking a lot about a certain fanfic phenomenon recently. It's something I've been noticing for a long time, I think, bur haven't really put in words. I'm having a hard time coming up with a good term even now!

But I think it's something along the lines of "characterisation displaced by statistical averages".

Yeah, I'd be grateful if someone came up with a better name. I'm apparently of the Leonard of Quirm school of naming things.

So, definition. Putting it as concisely as possible, it's basically about replacing existent characterisation by what an "average" version of said character's age and sex would do or say (I would say "nationality" as well if fandom wasn't so dominated by the U.S. as it is, and characters from canons in for example Japan or Britain often have their personalities rather Americanised). Often also going to statistical averages instead of extrapolating from canon.

( Examples, though, they always makes things clearer (hopefully). )

Sorry about all the Harry Potter, he's just such a good example of this! And it wasn't as structured as I would have liked it, but hopefully you'll find some kernel of sense somewhere in there.