Stereotypes

Stereotypes arise from the natural linguistic tendency to organize phenomena into meaningful categories. It involves accepting widely held belief systems about particular groups. These beliefs can be very limited and detrimental to intercultural understanding and communication.

In what ways do stereotypes affect the way that we communicate with each other?

According to Pennington, there are three characteristics of stereotypes:

1. People are categorized based on very visible characteristics e.g. race, nationality, sex, dress and bodily appearance
2. All members of a group are assumed to have the same characteristics
3. Anybody who is seen to belong to a particular group will therefore automatically be assumed to have the same characteristics of the group.

As such, they are unable to listen and communicate effectively. Stereotypes have clouded views of the people they are communicating with, but when one lets preconceived notions influence this, they automatically start pushing their expectations of how the individual must react based on their categorization of that particular individual.

Categorization ranges widely from racial profiling to cultural profiling and even gender profiling.

Example of racial profiling:

It is often believed by the Whites in United States that ALL African-Americans love fried chicken, and would cordially provide that dish whenever there are black guest around. However, it is deemed as rude and offensive to the Blacks as the problem stems deep down the historical baggage. A professor at the University of Missouri who studies race and folklore, said chickens had long been a part of Southern diets, but they had particular utility for SLAVES. They were cheap, easy to feed and a good source of meat. Hence, by serving fried chicken, with good intentions or not, would create an uncomfortable atmosphere as they represent a part of history that African-Americans wish to erase.

Cite one past experience you had (or witnessed) in NS/school/daily life. What are the implications of such events occurring in your social life?

FEMALE DRIVERS ARE HORRIBLE DRIVERS!

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As a car enthusiasts or perhaps even owning a car, you will undoubtedly hear this phrase ever so often. Last year, I was involved in a chain accident along the road where the female driver abruptly cuts into the lane. The driver of the first car she collided into immediately came out, rained her with insults and demeaned her in front of a crowd despite her frantic apologies. He then proceed to declare all females should be banned from driving as this was not the first female driver he collided into. Months after, I received a letter from insurance for claims and it turns out that she skidded due to wear and tear on the tyres, wet road surface and a small pot hole. Jumping into conclusion and assuming it was due to her lack of skills was uncalled for, and is a classic example of gender-profiling.

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In my humble opinion, stereotyping is neither right or wrong. Many people shy away from the idea of making decisions based on stereotypes. Why? Stereotype has a negative connotation. But a stereotype is simply a generalization about how a group of people behaves. It is ingrained within us since the dawn of time, the creation of humans, that we judge everything subconsciously and as such, we categorized them for the better or worse. Even animals categorized themselves as alphas and betas. However, any sane human will understand that there are boundaries not meant to be cross – racism, gender inequality, LGBT human rights etc…
If we have a clear distinction of the right and wrong and have equal respect for all forms of lives, there will be no implications on my social life. Racist, misogynist etc… are the probable ones that will face difficulties in social interaction.