Illustrates the process of making a stereotype into a non-overgeneralized, functional schema with my example of learning about the "Stans": Turkmenistan, etc.

1. From a Stereotype Back
to a Schema
Adding One Level of Complexity
(disequilibrating)
Dr. Thomas Link
Psychology
Pierce College
Lakewood, WA

2.  Schemas are simply a structure for organizing
information in one’s mind, similar to the way we
organize silverware in the drawer by forks, knives, etc.
 Stereotypes are a kind of schema.
 But they are dysfunctional. Two key ways they are
dysfunctional is that they overgeneralize a group of people
and they ignore new information.

3. My Schema Before
“Stans”
Tajikistan
Kazakstan
Uzbekistan –
uzbeki, beki, beki
Kirgi
the hard one to
spell
Other one
Notice the two details I know:
One is about me (spelling)
One is about someone else’s ignorance
The “Stans” are in my category of
“Countries I didn’t have to know
about before”

4. After a Talk
at the Jackson School’s Community College Master Teacher Institute by Diana Pearce
Central Asia
“the Stans”
Language group
Language tells me about
ethnicity and some about
history.
Persian
Iran is also
Persian
Tajik
Turkish
(Turkic)
Uzbek
she talked about
this one more
Kazak
Kyrgy
still trouble
spelling,
more “y”s
Turkmen

5. And some complexity

6. And a couple stories
Left: Diana had worked
with the man here. He
had looked for a wife but
hadn’t found one, so
asked his parents to
arrange a marriage. They
met a few times before
deciding to go ahead with
it – a mixed arrange / love
marriage. They’re still
together 
The woman in the green
sweater is from Afghanistan

7. The New Schema gives me…
 A key difference that I have other info tied to.
 A first response that’s not based on me or jokes.
 Some stories and stats that will help form new questions