STEREOTYPE= A fixed, commonly held notion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of observed or observed or imagined imagined ways of behaviour or appearance ways of behaviour or appearance Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
A stereotype is “a picture in our heads. Whether right or wrong,...imagination is shaped by the pictures seen... they lead to stereotypes that are hard to shake.“ ( American journalist Walter Lippmann, Public Opinion, 1922,). Walter LippmannPublic OpinionWalter LippmannPublic Opinion Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Stereotypes can be based on Racial group Racial group Ethnicity thnicity Religion eligion Sexual orientation exual orientationexual orientationEtc. Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Stereotypes can be POSITIVE POSITIVE “French women are beautiful” “French women are beautiful” or or NEGATIVE NEGATIVE “Women are bad drivers” “Women are bad drivers” Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Stereotypes appear due to Psychological laws of Economy of effort + Acting on analogy + Minimal or limited knowledge Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Factors Affecting Stereotypes Historical factors Historical factors Generalization Generalization First impressions First impressions Simplification Simplification Exaggeration Exaggeration Presentation of cultural attributes as 'natural‘ Presentation of cultural attributes as 'natural‘ Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Racismsexismhomophobia Racismsexismhomophobia Association of persons with other groups Association of persons with other groups An appearance or behaviour different from what you are used to. An appearance or behaviour different from what you are used to. Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
NB! Stereotypes are a part of the culture of the stereotyped groups AND AND A part of the culture of those who use them for interpreting other groups Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Stereotypes are good! They help me explain things They are energy-saving devices They show I share the beliefs my group Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Negative stereotypes=prejudices=BAD They justify ignorance They justify ignorance They don’t let me to change my attitudes They don’t let me to change my attitudes They can become true for my group and for the stereotyped group They can become true for my group and for the stereotyped group They don’t allow people of stereotyped groups to be successful They don’t allow people of stereotyped groups to be successful Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
What shall I do? Remember every person is UNIQUE Remember every person is UNIQUE Stereotypes do not always apply Stereotypes do not always apply Use positive stereotypes only Use positive stereotypes only Fight negative stereotypes about Fight negative stereotypes about other groups and about your group Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008
THANK YOU! and and GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! Elena Korshuk BUP students’ Conference Rogow April 2008