1. Stereotypes, prejudices andStereotypes, prejudices and
discriminationdiscrimination
(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)(sources: University of Jyväskylä, Intercultural Iceland)
2. 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 biasesPerceptual biases
5.5. Changing harmful stereotypesChanging harmful stereotypes
6.6. Self-esteem and self handicapping stereotypesSelf-esteem and self handicapping stereotypes
3. Stereotypes 1/2Stereotypes 1/2
Readily available image of a social group, usually based on roughReadily available image of a social group, usually based on rough
generalizationsgeneralizations
Mental structure that simplifies the complexity of environmentMental structure that simplifies the complexity of environment
Essential for collective identity:Essential for collective identity: “what we are and what we are not“what we are and what we are not
Background lies in the idea of in-groups and out-groups;Background lies in the idea of in-groups and out-groups;
“us” and “the other”“us” and “the other”
National stereotypes can be seen as personificationsNational stereotypes can be seen as personifications
Stereotypes can be negative or positive; not necessarily bad but usually notStereotypes can be negative or positive; not necessarily bad but usually not
useful in ICC settingsuseful in ICC settings
Can be idiosyncratic (if only an individual uses it) or collective (if widelyCan be idiosyncratic (if only an individual uses it) or collective (if widely
shared by a group)shared by a group)
The less one knows, the more one uses stereotypesThe less one knows, the more one uses stereotypes
Resistant to changeResistant to change
4. Stereotypes 1/2Stereotypes 1/2
Descriptive and evaluativeDescriptive and evaluative
May also feed each otherMay also feed each other
Typically exaggerationsTypically exaggerations
Why do they exist:Why do they exist:
1) tendency to explain others1) tendency to explain others’ actions in terms of his/her traits,’ actions in terms of his/her traits,
not the environmentnot the environment
2) tendency for overall negative or positive impressions of some2) tendency for overall negative or positive impressions of some
people to be applied to their traitspeople to be applied to their traits
3) tendency to assume that others have the same beliefs and3) tendency to assume that others have the same beliefs and
values as the observer him-/herselfvalues as the observer him-/herself
4) tendency to base judgments of people on all the earlier4) tendency to base judgments of people on all the earlier
impressions of themimpressions of them
5) tendency to focus on certain aspects of the environment while5) tendency to focus on certain aspects of the environment while
ignoring othersignoring others
ICC research is also “sophisticated stereotyping”ICC research is also “sophisticated stereotyping”
5. Prejudice or pre-judgePrejudice or pre-judge
One judges without knowingOne judges without knowing
Prejudice include generalizations based on stereotypesPrejudice include generalizations based on stereotypes
When an individual or a group of people are beingWhen an individual or a group of people are being
judged on stereotypes but not as an individuals, therejudged on stereotypes but not as an individuals, there
are prejudices involvedare prejudices involved
Prejudices in the minds of people are mostly the nextPrejudices in the minds of people are mostly the next
step before discrimination, i. e. discriminatingstep before discrimination, i. e. discriminating
behaviourbehaviour
6. The effects of stereotypes and prejudiceThe effects of stereotypes and prejudice
Stereotypes: stereotypes learned from the societyStereotypes: 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 withoutstereotypes, 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 haveinfluence 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 discriminatediscriminated 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 getDiscrimination: when an individual or a group of people get
worse treatment than others because of joint features like skinworse treatment than others because of joint features like skin
color, religion, nationality or gender > can be direct or indirectcolor, religion, nationality or gender > can be direct or indirect
7. 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 may seemBe very critical when seeing stereotyped thinking > it may seem
““harmlessharmless”” butbut……
Communicate! Understand how diversity really is a possibilityCommunicate! Understand how diversity really is a possibility
and gives richness to the interaction!and gives richness to the interaction!
Example:Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAkDHuimJRc
