Stereotypes, prejudices Stereotypes, prejudices and discriminationand discrimination(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)

Stereotypes

1.1. Definition of the conceptDefinition of the concept

2.2. Identity and stereotypeIdentity and stereotype

3.3. Why do we have stereotypes? Why do we have stereotypes?

4.4. Perceptual biases Perceptual biases

5.5. Changing harmful stereotypes Changing harmful stereotypes

6.6. Self-esteem and self handicapping stereotypesSelf-esteem and self handicapping stereotypes

Stereotypes 1/2Stereotypes 1/2

Readily available image of a social group, usually based on rough Readily available image of a social group, usually based on rough generalizationsgeneralizationsMental structure that simplifies the complexity of environmentMental structure that simplifies the complexity of environmentEssential for collective identity: Essential for collective identity: ““what we are and what we are notwhat we are and what we are notBackground lies in the idea of in-groups and out-groups; Background lies in the idea of in-groups and out-groups; ““usus”” and and ““the otherthe other””National stereotypes can be seen as personifications National stereotypes can be seen as personifications Stereotypes can be negative or positive; not necessarily bad but Stereotypes can be negative or positive; not necessarily bad but usually not useful in ICC settingsusually not useful in ICC settingsCan be idiosyncratic (if only an individual uses it) or collective (if Can be idiosyncratic (if only an individual uses it) or collective (if widely shared by a group)widely shared by a group)The less one knows, the more one uses stereotypesThe less one knows, the more one uses stereotypesResistant to changeResistant to change

Stereotypes 1/2Stereotypes 1/2Descriptive and evaluativeDescriptive and evaluativeMay also feed each otherMay also feed each otherTypically exaggerationsTypically exaggerationsWhy do they exist: Why do they exist: 1) tendency to explain others1) tendency to explain others’’ actions in terms of his/her traits, not the actions in terms of his/her traits, not the environment environment 2) tendency for overall negative or positive impressions of some people to 2) tendency for overall negative or positive impressions of some people to be applied to their traitsbe applied to their traits3) tendency to assume that others have the same beliefs and values as the 3) tendency to assume that others have the same beliefs and values as the observer him-/herself observer him-/herself 4) tendency to base judgments of people on all the earlier impressions of 4) tendency to base judgments of people on all the earlier impressions of them them 5) tendency to focus on certain aspects of the environment while ignoring 5) tendency to focus on certain aspects of the environment while ignoring othersothersICC research is also ICC research is also ““sophisticated stereotypingsophisticated stereotyping””

Prejudice or pre-judgePrejudice or pre-judge

One judges without knowingOne judges without knowing

Prejudice include generalizations based on Prejudice include generalizations based on stereotypesstereotypes

When an individual or a group of people are When an individual or a group of people are being judged on stereotypes but not as an being judged on stereotypes but not as an individuals, there are prejudices involvedindividuals, there are prejudices involved

Prejudices in the minds of people are mostly the Prejudices in the minds of people are mostly the next step before discrimination, i. e. next step before discrimination, i. e. discriminating behaviourdiscriminating behaviour

The effects of stereotypes and The effects of stereotypes and prejudiceprejudice

Stereotypes: stereotypes learned from the society Stereotypes: stereotypes learned from the society –– the films, the films, media, books, peers, parentsmedia, books, peers, parents> Prejudice: Individuals are being valued and judged by > Prejudice: Individuals are being valued and judged by stereotypes, i.e. one has an opinion about someone without stereotypes, i.e. one has an opinion about someone without knowing him/herknowing him/her> Discrimination: Prejudices lead to discrimination. Prejudices > Discrimination: Prejudices lead to discrimination. Prejudices influence our behaviour towards individuals which we have influence our behaviour towards individuals which we have categorized into groups, based on some common charasteristicscategorized into groups, based on some common charasteristics> Conflicts: Discrimination leads to conflict. The one who is > Conflicts: Discrimination leads to conflict. The one who is discriminated against seeks justice, the ones who discriminate discriminated against seeks justice, the ones who discriminate think they should have priority; they have the power.think they should have priority; they have the power.

Discrimination: when an individual or a group of people get Discrimination: when an individual or a group of people get worse treatment than others because of joint features like skin worse treatment than others because of joint features like skin color, religion, nationality or gender > can be direct or indirect color, religion, nationality or gender > can be direct or indirect

What can we do?What can we do?

Open your mindOpen your mind

See people behind the stereotypesSee people behind the stereotypes

Be very critical when seeing stereotyped thinking > it Be very critical when seeing stereotyped thinking > it may seem “harmless” butmay seem “harmless” but……

Communicate! Understand how diversity really is a Communicate! Understand how diversity really is a possibility and gives richness to the interaction!possibility and gives richness to the interaction!

Example: Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAkDHuimJRc