Ethnic stereotypes: examples, functions, types

In interracial, as well as in intergroup relations, ethnic stereotypes play an important role. They are simplified images of individuals that have a high degree of consistency. As a rule, all stereotypes are assimilated in childhood, and this is never the result of experience. Usually they are obtained from secondary sources, looking at parents, friends, grandparents, and so on. Plus, this happens long before the child begins to give himself an assessment, relate himself to any particular group or have an idea of his own personality.

general information

For the first time, such an element as ethnic stereotypes of behavior was discussed in 1922. He made it 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.

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

Secondly, with the help of stereotypes, each person will be able to justify himself, to protect. Consequently, his position, rights and values will always have a certain weight.

Thus, stereotypes help humanity cope with the perception of the world, while maintaining personal qualities, as well as navigate in difficult situations. Accordingly, if we are talking about ethnic prejudices, then people will be able to feel normal in the society of foreigners, since some of the information about them is available.

But there is a flip side to the coin. Unfortunately, many stereotypes formed in childhood will be impossible to change (with rare exceptions). This is probably why humanity cannot advance further in development, since it is stuck at the stage of prejudice.

Stereotypes at the dawn of history

Initially, ethnic stereotypes meant only one thing: all strangers were 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 connection with each other.

When tribal contacts began to expand, for example, an exchange appeared, a person began to learn new things 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 became not just a fellow tribe, helping in the hunt, but a friend, father or brother in an emotional sense.

Further prejudices began to develop in full swing, because how many tribes there were, so many stereotypes existed. Moreover, the definition of images of another ethnic group was based on certain historical moments. For example, if another society constantly clashed with one society, then it was assessed as aggressive, vicious. If the exchange began immediately, and even on favorable terms, then the tribe received a more sparing assessment, it became kind, friendly.

Examples

Ethnic stereotypes are very diverse, examples of appropriate behavior or thinking can be given infinitely long. Moreover, prejudices will be based only on one nation, they contain the idea of people connected by culture, homeland and behavior.

There are several stereotypes that 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 cannot deviate from the course set in childhood or by law. For example, no American will begin to screw a new light bulb on his own if it burns out. A specially trained person will do this.
All Spaniards are too emotional, they are quick-tempered.

At the same time, other nations also have a certain stereotype about Russian people. The most common of these is the tamed bear, who plays the balalaika, and, of course, vodka - with it, all Russians have breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Classification

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

Perception of people relative to each other. That is, these are the prejudices that develop within a narrow group of people. For example, parents should be respected, older ones should be respected, and so on. Such stereotypes will fit into the heads of the younger generation only on condition that the older ones are engaged in their implementation, and not just empty talk.
Inter-gender stereotypes. Examples: women should take care of the house, and men should work; boys don't cry, girls are always stupid.
Age stereotypes. Examples: adolescents are difficult to educate and control, old people always grumble.
Ethnic stereotypes.

In principle, types of ethnic stereotypes were formed in the process of development of society. In addition, they are formed in each individual person. If we assume that the individual came to Prague and his wallet was stolen at the station, then he may think that all Czechs are thieves. That is, there are generally accepted ethnic prejudices and particulars.

How is the formation process

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 is still present.

Formation begins in early childhood. However, at a young age, a child cannot think in terms of relations between nations, and he develops stereotypes about his family and its relations with other people. But the process itself is laid directly at this time.

Ethnic stereotypes first come to light in adolescence, when a person is most vulnerable to them. If a girl or a guy has not yet formed his own opinion on any occasion, then the imposed ideas will replace independent thinking. That is why any propaganda will become instantly absorbed information for young people. This is due to the fact that stereotypes have rigidity. Adolescents who have received a given rate of development of thinking simply do not imagine how one can think differently. But still, there are changes, and the Internet plays an important role in this.

Ethnic picture of the world

Today, the functions of ethnic stereotypes are gradually beginning to fade, but so far they cannot be completely excluded. The primitive ethnic picture of the world is a completely different one. Then prejudice played a special role, they helped the tribes survive. For example, relations with some communities could be established, with others hostile. And the sooner a new member of society discovered this, the more chances he had of survival.

In modern times, ethnic stereotypes are based more on emotions than hostility and so on. Most often they carry a negative load. For example, if a Russian speaks with an American, then due to prejudice, he may initially frivolously evaluate his interlocutor. His biased attitude will add bad emotions to both of them. So it is with 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, Russians thought that all Scots wear skirts (both men and women). This is an ethnic stereotype. But they could be familiar with a single Scot, who dressed like everyone else, that is, in trousers or jeans. This is an ethnic image.

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

International communication

Ethnic stereotypes of Russians, like many other peoples, are formed in adolescence. And the task of parents, teachers or tutors is to create such conditions under which young people will not go about the imposed opinion. Teenagers must independently develop their own thinking process, and therefore their stereotypes.

If the younger generation is not given such an opportunity, then humanity 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, then he will not refute them in the process of life. On the contrary, he will constantly find examples that confirm them.