Models of Stereotyping
Back to: Stereotypes
In everyday life we often have to face stereotypes, whether we use them ourselves in order to structure complex situations or others use them to categorise us. Hence, it seems to be quite „normal“ to live with stereotypes. Like in the video below stereotyping can be compared to looking through specific glasses that categorise and assess others.
Many of these cognitive processes happen immediately and unconsciously. But when we deal with persons from other countries, regions or cultures it is essential to be aware of the stereotypes we use and how they can influence intercultural communication.
First of all we have to ask: How does stereotyping work? Which processes are involved? Researchers found several approaches to explain the process of stereotypisation.
Some of the most interesting models are
Stereotypes have their origin in social and cultural influences. They are learned in the social and cultural environment, mostly already during childhood (parents, school, peer groups, etc.).
Stereotypes (particularly negative ones) are generated when there are conflicts of interest between the own group and the other group. For example, a lack of jobs or living spaces can cause a competition between different population groups.
Stereotypes and prejudice result from individual conflicts and aberrations. For example, a person is not able to express his/her problems with members of the same group and shifts the problems to members of a different group. Consequently prejudice and discrimination towards marginal groups (e.g. foreigners) are generated.
Stereotypes are simplified and/or incorrect attributions. They result from the limited capacity of indivuals to cope with complex Information
Steps of Stereotyping
Heringer (2012) proposed a model of the stereotyping process, based on a sequence of four steps1.
[weglot-image en=“/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/stereotypisation.png“ de=“/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stereotypisation_de.png“ it=“/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stereotypisation_it.png“ sl=“/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stereotypisation_sl.png“ gr=“/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stereotypisation_gr.png“ class=“wp-image-1314 alignright“]The first step is a selection of information, focusing on outstanding features of a person or group.In a second step the perceived characteristics are generalised.The third step comprises a process of categorisation and labelling, and in the final fourth step the set up categories are „petrified„, i.e. they are maintained and defended against different or inconsistent impressions. In the end the stereotype (e.g. „Muslims are terrorists“) is a relatively stable thinking pattern and controls emotions and acting (e.g. fear, avoidance).