How to Overcome Stereotypes
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We asked volunteers working in the field of migration to share how they cope with prejudices and stereotypes and whether they find themselves judging according to them. Watch now and see whether you’ve had similar experiences!
We now know that stereotyping is something natural and human. It can help to understand the world by simplifying complex information. There isn’t anybody who never uses stereotypes. But on the other hand it would be too simple to base your thinking, feeling and acting on stereotypes and prejudice.
Researchers found that we are used to perceive members of our own social and cultural background in a much more differentiated way than we do with members of different groups. When facing members of your social community you usually see lots of varying features: you perceive individual differences such as the outside appearance, looks, voice, laughing, movement style and many, many others.
© Institut für Lern-InnovationBut when meeting people from different social group we are inclined to simplify: „All Arabian women are …“, „All older people do …“. These generalisations and categorisations usually do not do justice to individuals. So it is essential to ask the question: How can we overcome stereotypes?
An interesting experiment, shown in the video below, shows that we can identify and redefine our stereotypes by finding things in common. Individuals who were first put into certain „boxes“ according to their apparent differences could find things in common when they were asked simple questions like „Who of you likes to dance“ or „Who of you feels lonely?“ In the end, the initial „boxes“ were eliminated, and the perception of others was much more differentiated.
The Contact Hypothesis
In criminology, psychology and sociology there have been lots of discussions on how stereotypes and prejudice can be reduced. The American psychologist Gordon W. Allport developed the so-called Contact Hypothesis (1954), also known as
The premise of Allport’s theory states that under appropriate conditions interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between different social groups.
If individuals have the opportunity to communicate with others, they are able to understand and appreciate different points of views involving their way of life. As a result, stereotypes should be diminished. Allport’s assumption was that properly managed contact between the different groups should reduce problems and lead to better interactions.
It is essential that the contact between the groups takes place under certain conditions because otherwise the contact fails to cure stereotypes and conflicts.
- The contact should be long enough to reduce anxiety and give the participants the opportunity to feel comfortable with each other;
- The contact should not be used to argue, use physical violence or discriminate each other;
- The participating parties should have a similar status (education, wealth, skills, experience, etc.)
- The groups should have common goals and work on common tasks, pooling their efforts and resources;
- Both groups should support the same authorities , laws and rules.
- The contact situation should involve informal, personal interaction with members of both groups. There has to be the opportunity to mingle with each other and to develop cross-group friendships
In general, stereotypes about social or cultural groups should not be eliminated at all costs. But it is useful to be aware of them, to question them and to try to redefine them if necessary.
- Be aware when you put a stereotype on a group and ask „Why?“. When you see that a perspective is based on wrongly held assumptions, stereotypes will lose their power.
- Develop acceptance of differences and try to understand different upbringings and backgrounds.
- Think „out of the box“: Just because everybody thinks that a certain group is like this or that it doesn’t mean that this is true. Try to look at things from different perspectives.
- When you detect a stereotype you use, look for exceptions.
- Be aware of your linguistic expressions. When you use expressions like „Every woman“, „All Americans“ or „All students“ it is manifest that your assumptions are based on stereotypes.
- Challenge stereotypes expressed by others. You may say: „This may be true in some cases, but it’s not the truth for many others“.
- Be curious! When you try to find out a lot about individuals you will gain plenty of information, and there will be no space for stereotypes.
In the end it is crucial to know: Stereotypes are learned, and they can be unlearned.