Ethnic stereotypes: examples, functions, types

Ethnic stereotypes play an important role in interracial, as well as in intergroup relations. They are simplified images of individuals who have a high degree of consistency. As a rule, all stereotypes are acquired in childhood, and this is never a consequence of experience. Usually they are obtained from secondary sources, looking at parents, friends, grandmothers, grandfathers and so on. Plus, it happens long before the child begins to give himself an assessment, to refer himself to a particular group or to have an idea of one's own personality.

general information

For the first time about an element such as ethnic stereotypes of behavior, started talking in 1922. It was made by a popular American journalist who conducted his own investigation. He said that the formation of stereotypes is a natural thing that only plays into the hands of man.

First, when people come into contact with a complex social object, which they have not seen before, they simply do not know how to behave. And in this case they will be helped by "pictures of the world", which are in the minds and thoughts, are transmitted from generation to generation.

Secondly, with the help of stereotypes, each person can justify himself, protect himself. Therefore, his positions, rights and values will always have a certain weight.

Thus, stereotypes help humanity to cope with the perception of the world, while preserving personal qualities, as well as navigate in difficult situations. Accordingly, if it is a question of ethnic prejudices, then people will be able to feel themselves normally in the society of foreigners, since some information about them exists.

But there is a downside to the coin. Unfortunately, many stereotypes formed in childhood will not be possible to change (with rare exceptions). Probably, this is why humanity can not move further in development, as it is stuck at the stage of prejudice.

Stereotypes at the dawn of history

Initially, ethnic stereotypes meant only one thing: all strangers are enemies. In a primitive society, a meeting with other tribes promised only death and war, so for a long time people could not establish a relationship with each other.

When tribal contacts began to expand, for example, there was an exchange, a person began to learn new not only about his neighbors, but also about himself. Now he realized that he could not always raise his weapon against another member of the primitive society. He did not become a simple tribe, helping in hunting, but a friend, father or brother in an emotional sense.

Further prejudices began to develop at full speed, because there were many tribes, so many stereotypes existed. And the definition of the images of another ethnic group was based on certain historical moments. For example, if another society was constantly in conflict with one society, it was assessed as aggressive, spiteful. If the exchange began immediately, but also on favorable terms, the tribe received a more gentle evaluation, it became kind, friendly.

Examples

Ethnic stereotypes are very diverse, examples of appropriate behavior or thinking can be given indefinitely. Moreover, prejudices will be based only on one nationality, they contain the idea of people connected with culture, homeland and behavioral features.

One can single out several stereotypes, which Russians attribute to other inhabitants of the planet:

• All Germans are punctual and pedantic.
• All Jews are smart, but greedy.
• All Americans have standard thinking, they can not deviate from the course set in childhood or legislation. For example, no American will self-twist a new light bulb, if it is burnt out. This will be done by a specially trained person.
• All Spaniards are too emotional, they are quick-tempered.

At the same time, a certain stereotype also develops about the Russian man in other nations. The most common of them is a tamed bear who plays the balalaika, and, of course, vodka - all the Russians eat breakfast, have dinner and have supper.

Classification

If we consider not only ethnic stereotypes, examples of relations between specific people or full-fledged societies will be divided into several types:

1. People's perceptions of each other. That is, these are the prejudices that are formed within a narrow group of people. For example, parents need to be respected, older ones to read and so on. Such stereotypes will fit into the heads of the younger generation only on condition that the elders are engaged in their implementation, and not just empty conversations.
2. Inter-sex stereotypes. Examples: women should work at home, and men work; Boys do not cry, girls are always stupid.
3. Age stereotypes. Examples: teenagers are difficult in upbringing and control, old people always grumble.
4. Ethnic stereotypes.

In principle, the types of ethnic stereotypes were formed during the development of the society. In addition, they are formed by each individual person. Assuming that the individual came to Prague, and at the station his wallet was stolen, he may think that all Czechs are thieves. That is, there are generally accepted ethnic prejudices and private ones.

How is the process of formation

The problem of prejudice has always existed, and the formation of ethnic stereotypes affects it to a greater extent. Even today, when any person can find all the information that interests him, the stability of prejudice still exists.

Formation begins with early childhood. However, at a young age a child can not think within the framework of relations between nations, and he adds stereotypes about his family and its relationships with other people. But the process itself is laid directly at this time.

Ethnic stereotypes first make themselves felt in adolescence, when a person is most vulnerable to them. If a girl or a guy has not yet formed their own opinion on some occasion, then the imposed ideas will replace independent thinking. That is why any propaganda will become instantly absorbed by the youth for information. This is due to the fact that stereotypes have rigidity. Adolescents who have received a given rate of development of thinking simply do not represent how one can think differently. But all the same, changes are present, and the Internet plays a big role in this.

Ethnic picture of the world

Today, the functions of ethnic stereotypes are gradually beginning to fade away, but for the time being they can not be completely ruled out. The primitive ethnic picture of the world is quite different. Then prejudices played a special role, they helped the tribes survive. For example, relations with one community could be established, with others - hostile. And the sooner a new member of the society learned about this, the more he had a chance to survive.

In modern times, ethnic stereotypes are based more on emotions than on hostility and so on. Most often they carry a negative load. For example, if a Russian communicates with an American, then because of prejudice, he initially can not seriously evaluate his interlocutor. His prejudiced attitude will add bad emotions, and both. The same is true of other nations.

Ethnic tolerance

Today, the ethnic stereotype and ethnic image are gradually beginning to merge into one concept. Previously it was different. For example, the Russians thought that all Scots wear skirts (both men and women). This is an ethnic stereotype. But they could be acquainted with an individual Scotsman, who dressed just like everyone else, that is, in trousers or jeans. This is an ethnic image.

In modern times, in order for civil society to form correctly, it is necessary to cultivate tolerance in the younger generation. In the latter, the ability to appreciate and respect the culture of other peoples, their traditions and customs is laid. If you take the example of the same Scotland, then wearing a kilt should not be ridiculed in any way. This will be tolerance.

Interethnic communication

Ethnic stereotypes of Russians, like many other peoples, are formed in adolescence. And the task of parents, teachers or mentors is to create conditions in which young people will not go on the occasion of an imposed opinion. Adolescents must independently develop their own thinking process, and hence their stereotypes.

If we do not give this opportunity to the younger generation, then mankind will not continue its spiritual development. For example, stereotypes can create an extremely negative situation in the course of interethnic communication. Moreover, if a person has received any prejudices, he will not refute them in the course of his life. On the contrary, he will constantly find examples that confirm them.

Accordingly, for interethnic communication to reach a new tolerant level, it is necessary to abandon stereotypes.

Conclusion

Thus, ethnic stereotypes of behavior are not at all the product that generalizes the same or similar features of one nation. In them, the personal qualities of individuals are replaced by one-sided prejudice. The latter, in turn, represents a negative attitude towards a particular group of people.

As a result of the corresponding behavior, alertness is formed, and on both sides. The first go on about their stereotypes, the latter behave badly due to disrespectful attitude. There is a kind of alienation, which causes misunderstandings, and also complicates all subsequent interaction.