Stereotyping...
We have all done it, with or without conscious thought, at some point in our lives. Stereotypes are often misleading as they are generalizations or assumptions that we make about someone based on their race, background, gender, or even something as trivial as hair colour. Stereotyping smothers individuality and often clouds our view of people in a negative or positive way.
For example, Sri Lankans are generally considered to be friendly and hospitable. However, if one ever goes to Sri Lanka expecting unreserved hospitality, they will undoubtedly be disappointed. East Asians are supposed to be quiet and reserved, but there are many who are outgoing and boisterous. Gender stereotyping has an even higher effect on communication. Women are often thought to be talkative. So, when communicating with a woman, one might try to be overly chatty when in fact the woman in question prefers the quiet.
Apart from these, even one’s appearance may be the basis of a stereotype. Blond haired women are generalised as air heads, however, there are many blondes who are extremely intelligent and this negative image may affect their work and even personal relationships.
When we try to conform our communication techniques according to stereotypes, I feel that effective communication is lost. Stereotyping breeds conflicts and puts a barrier on developing interpersonal relationships. In conflict situations, negative stereotypes come into play and each party responds in kind making the situation far worse as there is a total shut down in open minded communication.
Stereotypes often form the basis of prejudice and are usually employed to explain real or imaginary differences due to race, gender, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic class, disability, occupation, etc. A stereotype can be a conventional and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image based on the belief that there are attitudes, appearances, or behaviors shared by all members of a group.
ReplyDeleteHi Anu,
ReplyDeleteStereotypical judgment indeed will most probably cause a breakdown in communication and sometimes even offend someone.
Such stereotypes are very common. I would admit Im guilty of it too. For example, how would someone view a skimpily dressed Chinese lady standing on the streets of Geylang? Yes, most likely a prostitute. However, she is not anything like that but perhaps in fact a journalist taking views in that area! So what will happen if a man with this stereotype approach the lady and say "How Much"? I believe the lady will feel so offended she will either storm off or give him a good scolding!
Premature perception of people do give us bias views and affect effective communication between people in a conversation. Yes. So let us all learn to view everyone differently and not succumb to short-cut method of categorising others.
Hi Anu,
ReplyDeleteYes, i do agree that stereotyping does in fact plays a part in hindering communication. In general, most of our communication with others are influenced by our perception of them. the choice we make on whom we chose to start a conversation with, how we adopt a certain kind of tone in voice and mannerisms are all processed in matter of seconds and i think this is where our preconceived ideas or perceptions about other people plays a major role in effective communication.
hey Anu,
ReplyDeleteI agree that stereotypes are quite detrimental to communication. In some sense, we try to pre-empt the speaker even before he/she tries to say anything. But, there are also times where some stereotyping would help, for example, thinking what is acceptable or not acceptable for the recipient. Jokes and puns are examples where careful thought has to be put into and stereotypes can be used as guidelines for consideration.
Stereotypes invariably have a grain of truth but it is dangerous to generalise about anything. However, the fact is, people are being researched as never before which inevitably leads to newspaper articles which often present as fact that this or that race or even people with a certain shoe size, eye colour or family background have certain characteristics. I think people store this information and form more and more stereotypes. Their beauty lies in their illusion that they appear to make our world simpler and more understandable.
ReplyDeleteMrs Richardson
As a saying goes, assumption or assume makes an ass outta you and i. It is assumption that makes a lot things that we would like to do become hampered. In certain ways, it is a good guide to pre-empt people of what to expect, but it is usually in the negative connotation and not the actual sense of how the people are really perceived as.
ReplyDeleteConstruction workers seem to be stereotyped in Singapore, having them labeled as 'smelly' and 'loud'. People seems to be avoiding them in public areas, especially in trains and buses. This issue was reported sometime ago in the Straits Times.
ReplyDelete