Can people change implicit stereotypes?

I think that within the context of a supportive and caring relationship implicit stereotypes can most definitely be changed.  I think it is a lot of hard work and that it takes time.  Time eases all potential pains, including ridiculous stereotypes.  In addition to requiring time, willingness to change is also needed to change implicit stereotypes.  The person needs to have a willingness to let themselves change and be changed.  A certain dedication to improving overall well being is needed in the individual's personality and morals, such that they are doing checks on what they learn each day, making note of when things change.  Thus they would consider a change in implicit stereotypes significant enough to notice that it has occurred over the course of let's say four years.

Backing up a bit to define exactly what is an implicit stereotype.  Implicit stereotypes include oversimplified images, conceptions or opinions of people that operate on an unconscious level.  There are so many of these that we actually think at times that we don't have any all.  In fact, we are just using them all the time to evaluate ourselves and other persons around us.

An example of a context in which implicit stereotypes can change is the therapeutic clinician-client relationship.  If the clinician sparks certain stereotypes for the client then the direct and clear relationship they are about to form can potentially alter the client's thinking of this type of person.  Other persons who can have that sort of impact on implicit stereotypes are close friends as well as teachers.