Ethnic stereotypes: examples, functions, types. The most famous stereotypes of society and their role in people's lives

What is a stereotype as a phenomenon public system? Representatives of various sciences study the stereotype as part of their tasks. Philosophers, sociologists, culturologists, ethnographers are interested in the ethnic aspects of stereotypes. Psychologists consider the influence of gender stereotypes. A single concept of "stereotype" covers all spheres of human life.

Stereotype - what is it?

At the end of the 17th century, the French publisher F. Didot invented a device that saves time, labor and price in printing business. Before the invention, the text for the book each time was typed anew, which led to a huge expenditure of resources. Dido's new creative solution was to make casts from the typed text, then metal stamp plates were cast, allowing books to be printed in large numbers. F.Dido called his invention - a stereotype: "στερεός" - solid "τύπος" - image.

What does a stereotype mean as a concept in modern world? In Walter Lippmann, an American publicist in 1922 introduced the term "stereotype" into the social environment and described its meanings as: the impossibility of an individual to know the whole picture real world without simplification. A person carries out his activity, relying not on the obvious direct knowledge, and on ready-made cliché templates introduced by others: relatives, acquaintances, the system, the state.

Types of stereotypes

A child is born and with mother's milk absorbs lullabies, fairy tales, traditions and legends belonging to his ethnic group. Growing up, the baby learns the norms and regulations that are characteristic of his family and clan as a whole. Educational institutions are contributing. So gradually formed stereotypical thinking. A person is literally “overgrown” with stereotypes. Common types of stereotypes identified by different experts:

stereotypes of thinking
stereotypes of behavior;
ethnocultural stereotypes;
response stereotypes;
communication stereotypes, etc.

The functions of stereotypes can be conditionally divided into "positive" and "negative". The main positive aspect of the stereotype is the economy of human mental activity. A person, in his short life, cannot know everything about everything, but on the basis of the experience of others, he can have an idea of many things, even if they are not related to his reality. The negative aspect is that personal experience(even a single one) confirming the correctness of one or another stereotype is fixed in the subconscious and makes it difficult to perceive people, phenomena in a different way.

Gender stereotypes

Man performs different social roles, including gender. The gender role determines the norms of behavior of the recommended, based on belonging to a male or female gender and cultural characteristics of the country. What ? The role of a man or woman in society is determined by many traditions and way of life that have been established over the centuries. So far, stereotypes have not become obsolete, the echo of which can be traced in proverbs and sayings of different peoples:

woman - the keeper of the hearth;
a man is a provider;
women are fools;
a woman without children is like a tree without branches;
a lonely woman is a wingless bird;
a man without a wife is like a barn without a roof;
a man promises, a man fulfills;
the little man is not a flirt, but loves to fight.

ethnic stereotypes

Effective interethnic communication today plays an important role in achieving peace and cooperation between peoples. National stereotypes are the cultural representations of a people as a nation about themselves (autostereotypes) and about other peoples (heterostereotypes) developed over the centuries. The study of stereotypes of ethnic groups - helps to find out the features, habits, culture for useful interaction between different countries.

Social stereotypes

What is a social stereotype? Stable and simplified matrices of images of social objects (person, group, profession, gender, ethnic group). At the same time, stereotypes of thinking can turn out to be false and form erroneous knowledge. As a rule, the stereotype is based on observations based on real facts and personal experience, but sometimes the stereotype plays a destructive role when it is applied in a situation that falls out of the general template and “sticking” labels on a person occurs. Examples of social stereotypes:

without "blat" it is impossible to build a successful career;
the child must be obedient;
to be successful, you need to graduate from a prestigious university;
all men need only one thing from women...;
all accountants are bores, and lawyers are crooks;
money is evil;
Japanese cars are the highest quality;
Jews are the most cunning;
a man is a womanizer, a drunkard.

Cultural stereotypes

Cultural stereotypes of the society affect the emotions of a person, which are associated with physicality and are supported by gestures. Emotions and gestures are a universal language among peoples similar in cultural customs, but in selected countries can take on the opposite meaning. Before you travel to other countries, it is useful to study the customs of these states. It combines Culture: stereotypes of goal-setting, communication, perception, worldview. Stereotypical behavior is an important stage in the formation of rituals (religious) of different cultures.

Popular stereotypes

What is a stereotype - this question is mostly answered “correctly”, “stereotypically”. Society is accustomed to thinking in popular terms, the reason for this lies in the lack or shortage of information and the inability to confirm this information. The stereotype of thinking (mental setting) - “I am like everyone else” means belonging to one's family, group, people, state, has a downside: it drives into the framework of restrictions, impoverishes a person's personal experience. Popular stereotypes accepted in society:

audacity second happiness;
figure standard - 90/60/90;
it is good there - where we are not;
beats - it means loves;
eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend, give dinner to an enemy;
a woman on a ship - to be in trouble;
get married before 30;
girls should wear pink, boys blue;
women are the weaker sex;
expensive means high quality;

Stereotypes about Russians

Stereotypes about Russia can be traced in various tales and anecdotes, invented both by the Russians themselves and by other peoples. Stereotypically, Russians appear in jokes as “boys-shirts, extremely hardy, loving to drink and make a fuss.” Interest in Russia is great. This power remains a mysterious and majestic, and for some, a hostile country. What do representatives of other states think about the country, Russian women and men:

Russians are the most drinkers;
bears walk the streets;
Russian girls are the most beautiful;
men, walk with a stone face, do not smile;
Russia is a country of balalaikas, nesting dolls and blouses;
the most hospitable;
uneducated and illiterate;
girls dream;

Stereotypes about the French

The whole world follows the French catwalks with trepidation, buys French perfume, and is touched by the most romantic films on the planet. "See Paris and die!" - a phrase said by the Soviet writer-photographer I. Ehrenburg - has long become winged and is said with an aspiration and a dreamy look. Stereotypes of France strongly associated with this beautiful country:

French women are the most sophisticated, elegant;
Paris - dictates fashion to everyone else;
the French are the best lovers in the world;
croissants, wine, foie gras, frogs, baguettes and oysters are the daily national food;
beret, vest, red scarf - standard clothing
the most smoking nation in the world;
strikes and demonstrations "for" and "without cause";
the most inveterate pessimists;
freedom of morals and frivolous behavior;
get annoyed if foreigners mispronounce words in French;
patriots of their homeland affectionately call the country "La dos France" ("France dear").

Stereotypes about Americans

America is a country of contrasts and unlimited possibilities, where the most cherished dreams- Americans think so about their state. The USA is a country largely incomprehensible to the Russian mentality, causing some rejection, and in the light of the existing tense relations between Russia and America, distrust of the most smiling American nation. Myths and stereotypes about Americans:

a nation of fast food and fat people;
like to organize surprises;
want to take over the whole world;
lack of style and taste in clothes;
the most patriotic nation;
every American has a gun;
not shy about expressing emotions.

Stereotypes about the British

What associations do people have who have never been to England, but have heard about this country? Those who studied English at school remember the famous clockwork Big Ben (Big Ben) and that England is a country of rain, fog and oatmeal for breakfast. There are legends about the stiffness of the English. English detective stories about Sherlock Holmes are loved to be read all over the world. Stereotypes about the British:

constantly talking about the weather;
they drink tea according to the schedule;
the English are the most polite;
arrogant snobs;
conservatives;
strange English humor;
everyone goes to the pub;
the most law-abiding citizens.

What are stereotypes? I think that these are some generalizations (generalizations) of certain human experience, and they arise due to the fact that we live in society. By the way, initially this concept came from ancient Greek and consisted of two words "solid" + "imprint". This was the name of a printing device in a printing house, and then this concept began to be used in relation to ways of thinking. After such an analysis of the origin of the meaning of the word - it already becomes extremely unpleasant! No, I agree that stable life positions are very important for personal development and just for a normal human life. But this is in the case when you have fully thought through them, realized and can even justify them. However, stereotypes are usually a rigid phenomenon, often very unconscious and, meanwhile, strong - a kind of rooted part of thinking. Stereotypes do not even need to be specially trained, unlike other knowledge.

Examples of stereotypes

Simple common examples: “A beautiful and interesting woman must already have a man”, “By the age of 25, every normal girl should already be married and have a baby”, “Men don’t cry”, “A man should be the first to ask for a date and declare his love” , "What is expensive is worth it - definitely better than that whichever is cheaper", "Each normal person must go to work," etc. etc. You yourself can remember more than one or two such examples, and maybe even tell about cases from life when you suffered from the effects of stereotypes. For example, if a girl is already about 30 years old, then she is probably tired of hearing from friends and not so, from close and distant questions on the topic: “When will the stork visit you?” Unfortunately, this happens all the time, affecting our lives most in a different way- someone gets married in a hurry, someone cannot get to know someone they like (because that person: “Too handsome / rich / old / young ...”), someone daily literally drags his feet to a boring job - and all this in order to be like everyone else, to save yourself from bewildered conversations and glances. As a result, many people feel unhappy... In addition - if you do something that does not give you pleasure, but you cannot stop, because you are afraid of judging others, then very soon you risk losing yourself among these others - Alas.

What can be recommended in order to get rid of the influence of stereotypes? Many psychologists will give very simple advice that at first glance seems complicated: “Be yourself!” What does it mean? It means to believe in yourself, trust the world, and instead of listening to others, do what you think is right (unless, of course, this is connected with something socially dangerous). Hear yourself, your needs, use creativity and, most importantly, be happy! An unhappy person is not able to develop, and without development there is no life. Therefore, discard all stereotypes that prevent you from being happy! Although, if you really want to, then leave a couple of useful ones - protecting you from something bad (if you are really sure that it is bad)

And, finally, I will add - take responsibility for your life already. to myself!

It is no secret that society lives in a world of stereotypes and conjectures that arise due to a trivial lack of information (and in some cases, knowledge). This article will tell you about the origin of this term and about what social stereotypes exist.

Stereotype: what is it

Stereotype is a term from social psychology. In the broad sense of the word, these are certain beliefs that relate to any category of people, as well as a certain model of behavior that is used to determine the entire group of such people or their behavior as a whole. A stereotype is a concept that has much in common with such terms as "custom" and "tradition".

These thoughts or beliefs do not always accurately reflect reality. In psychology and other sciences, there are various concepts and theories of stereotypes that have common features, and also contain contradictory elements.

Origin of the term

Need to know the etymology given word to understand its essence. "Stereotype" comes from Greek wordsστερεός (stereo) - "solid, hardened" and τύπος (typos) - "impression", therefore, this word can be translated as, "a solid impression of one or more ideas/theories".

This term was originally used mainly in typography. It was first used in 1798 by Firmin Didot to describe a printing plate that replicated any printed matter. A duplicate of a printed form, or a stereotype, is used for printing instead of the original. Outside the context of typography, the first use of the word "stereotype" dates back to 1850. It was used in the sense of "perpetuation without change." However, it was not until 1922 that the term "stereotype" was first used in the modern psychological sense by the American journalist Walter Lippman in his work " Public opinion". Gradually, this term comes into use and is constantly used as in speech ordinary people as well as in the media.

Types of stereotypes

Social stereotypes can be divided into main subspecies:

Stereotypes relating to peoples and entire races (for example, stereotypes about Russians and Jews).
About the rich and the poor.
Concerning men and women.
About sexual minorities.
Age (how a person should behave at a particular age).
Stereotypes related to any profession.

These are just some of the prejudices that affect social norms and behavior of people.

Stereotype functions

First Scientific research claiming that stereotypes are used only by tough and authoritarian people. This idea has been refuted by modern research, which suggests that stereotypes of society exist everywhere.

It has also been proposed to consider stereotypes as a kind of belief of some group of people, meaning that people belonging to the same social group have the same set of stereotypes. Modern research argues that a full understanding of this concept requires considering it from two complementary points of view: both divided within a particular culture / subculture, and formed in the mind of an individual.

Gender Studies

Gender bias is one of the most dominant in the public mind. For this reason, gender differences between men and women have been studied by experts in various scientific fields for a very long time. For a long time The main goal of scientists who studied the differences between men and women was to find scientific evidence for gender stereotypes and thereby provide a reliable justification for the prevailing stereotypes regarding gender roles.

But this problem has not been solved: most studies have revealed much more similarities than differences between the two opposite sexes, and the small differences that are detected usually have an obviously social basis. For example, men, in contrast to the fair sex, according to the traditional gender role, report that they are not too emotional and sensitive. However, measurements of physiological reactions and their facial expressions have repeatedly shown that there are no differences directly in emotional reactions between opposite sexes.

Other scientific evidence once again confirms that men feel anger, sadness and anxiety just as often as women, but at the same time express anger and suppress other negative emotions more often, while women, on the contrary, suppress anger and express sadness and fear.

This once again confirms that these are the stereotypes of the perception of our society, which make it very difficult to see the objective reality.

Impact of gender bias

Like other social stereotypes, gender prejudices perform the function of justifying social, namely sexual, inequality. This type stereotyping interferes with both women and men. For example, stereotypes that prescribe women to be gentle and condemn the display of aggression and assertiveness often contribute to discrimination against the fair sex in the workplace.

Most stereotypes attribute positive properties to women: sensuality, intuitiveness and care. According to experts, in societies with such stereotypes, such character traits are not valued as much as rationality and activity, which are inherent in the stronger sex. Thus, these stereotypes create and perpetuate androcentrism - the belief that men are the norm, regarding which the female gender is, in fact, a deviation.

As many scientific data show, adherence to these prevailing stereotypes and patriarchal views on the roles of men and women is one of the main characteristics of men who commit domestic and sexual abuse towards women. Domestic violence is always closely related to the desire of the stronger sex to dominate.

Prejudice also harms men who, for one reason or another, are not in strong position. For example, men who have experienced sexual violence, due to the pressure of these stereotypes, very rarely ask for help, and even if they ask, they often do not receive it, since doctors and police do not believe that men could become a victim of this type of violence. Society is gradually recognizing that these stereotypes are very often far from reality.

Glass ceiling

All these factors create the effect of the so-called "glass ceiling". This concept comes from the psychology of sex, which was introduced in the mid-1980s to describe the barrier in career growth). This "ceiling" limits the movement of the female career ladder for reasons unrelated to their level of professionalism. Subsequently, the term was extended to representatives of other social groups and minorities (ethnic minorities, gay people, etc.). Of course, this ceiling does not officially exist, since it is unspoken.

Career implications

According to women's rights organizations, women still face this invisible ceiling today. Thus, about 80% of the leaders of America's top 500 companies are men, despite the fact that women make up a significant proportion of all workers at the grassroots levels in firms.

This barrier, according to experts, exists because of the established stereotypes about the female gender and other social groups that are oppressed. In this category of persons, the appearance of the so-called fear of success is even possible. According to modern researchers, the main obstacles on the way of women to high and responsible positions are the traditional personnel policy firms that believe that a woman is not suitable for the role of leader.

national prejudices

Almost any nationality has developed one or another stereotype. For example, all Jews are pragmatic and greedy, Germans are born pedants, and Italians are the most passionate men.

One of the most important prejudices about Russians is the opinion about the general alcoholism of the Russian population.

However, according to world statistics on the consumption of alcoholic beverages by country, Russia is far from the first place. It should be recognized that this is a stereotype that has no real basis. The first places in this rating belong to Moldova, Ireland and Hungary.

Another stereotype about Russia is that supposedly Russians are a gloomy and unfriendly people. Of course not in Russian tradition smile at every passerby. But there is hardly another such nation in Europe that treats other people's grief or worldly difficulties so responsibly. In some settlements in Russia, even now you can knock on the door and ask for an overnight stay. The uninvited guest, of course, will be fed and allowed to stay the night.

There are also stereotypes about Russian women. For example, it is believed that Russian ladies are the most beautiful and feminine among all European women. However, other Slavic women can boast of their attractive appearance. Polish and Ukrainian women are also famous in the bride market in Europe.

Of course, there are a lot of stereotypes about Russia. They are mainly distributed in Western countries who have always feared a mighty and big Russia.

Every questionable fact is worth checking for authenticity. Very often it turns out that this is a stereotype, just someone's opinion, which has nothing to do with reality.

Types of stereotypes

There are stereotypes-representations, stereotypes-behaviors, stereotypes-situations and stereotypes-images.

stereotype representationthere is a certain structure of the mental-lingual complex, formed by an invariant set of valence connections attributed to a given unit and representing the image, the representation of the phenomenon behind the given unit, in its [image, representation] national marking with a certain predictability of directed associative connections (vectors of associations) .

A stereotype, from the point of view of "content", is a certain fragment of the picture of the world that exists in the mind. This is some image-representation , this is a mental “picture”, a certain stable, minimized-invariant, national-culturally specific idea of an object or situation. And not about a specific object or situation that has ever taken place, but about an object or situation “in general”.

Stereotypes of behavior represent activity invariants, determine communicative behavior in a particular communicative situation and are stored in consciousness in the form stamps acting as canon. In other words, they dictate certain behaviour.

Stereotypes-representations stored in the form cliche consciousness and function as standards. They are also associated with speech behavior, characterizing it and appearing in it, i.e. they dictate not so much the behavior itself as a set of associations and predetermine the language form expressing them. And since such stereotypes are a certain idea of an object or situation, they stand out, respectively, stereotype image (the form of storage is a cliché) and stereotype situation (the form of storage is a cliche, but the latter can be updated in communication and as a stamp). Thus, at the first level, a stereotype of behavior (a stamp of consciousness) and a stereotype representation (cliché) are singled out; at the second level - a stereotype-situation (cliché / stamp) and a stereotype-image (cliché). Examples of such stereotypes are:

Stereotypes-images: bee – hard worker; French – grace, refined, graceful; ram – stubborn; lemon– sour, yellow, and so on.

Stereotypes-situations: ticket – punch; stork – cabbage and so on.

Stereotypes-situations include certain (predictable, expected) behavior of communication participants. Thus, we can say that a stereotype-situation in some way predetermines a stereotype of behavior (for example, a stereotype-situation: transport - ticket; stereotype of behavior: appeal to the nearest passenger " Punch / Compost / Pass, please" etc.).

The integrity of culture involves the development of cultural stereotypes - stereotypes of behavior, perception, understanding, communication, that is, stereotypes of the general picture of the world. Stereotypes have much in common with traditions, customs, myths, rituals, but differ from the latter in that traditions and customs are characterized by their objectified significance, openness to others, while stereotypes remain at the level of hidden mindsets that exist among their own.

The set of stereotypical forms of behavior developed in every society is not limited to the sphere of ritual and custom. Standards of conduct are characteristic of many areas of activity, and, above all, communication (etiquette), socialization of individuals, technological processes (labor practices and skills), game behavior, etc. Human behavior in society is typified, that is, it obeys the norms developed in society, and therefore in many respects it is standard. A set of typical behavior programs is specific to each team. The standardized behavior has its variations. According to the features social organization in the sphere of given behavior are distinguished different types: the behavior of a peasant, warrior, hunter, intellectual, and so on. In accordance with the criteria of biosocial division life path the behavior of children, adults, old people, men, women differs.

Thus, in the culture of a particular people, stereotypes cover:

verbal behavior;

Non-verbal behavior (facial expressions, gestures, etc.);

national character and ideas about it by other countries and peoples;

Social situations, behavior in social situations;

Features of life and Everyday life nations;

national cuisine;

Religious and national rites.

So, since all people act in accordance with the expectations of their society, their behavior can be called stereotypical speech behavior. Stereotypes become such after repeated repetition and fixation in the minds of many people. Once formed, they acquire a high degree stability and are difficult to modify.

At the communicative level, stereotyping occurs on the basis of:

1) accents (for example, the well-known Georgian accent in Russia or the southern accent in the USA: "Boy, I'm gonna book you for sassin' a law officer");

2) manners of pronouncing words and placing stresses;

3) features of intonation;

4) the pace of speech (for example, the speech of southerners in the United States is slower than northerners);

5) manners of speaking loudly or quietly (Americans speak louder than most Europeans, for which the latter condemn them);

6) the choice of vocabulary (there are certain words and phrases characteristic of certain groups of the population, such as the words brother, lol and others in the speech of the "new Russians");

7) cliched phrases;

8) syntactic features;

9) speech strategies;

10) communication distance (for example, it is less for Russians and Americans than for the British, as a result of which Russians perceive Americans as more cordial, and the British as more distant).

stand out different kinds stereotypes at the language level that can interfere with intercultural communication:

1) racial;

2) ethnic;

3) geographical;

4) gender;

5) social;

6) political;

7) professional, etc.

In intercultural communication, stereotypes are the result of an ethnocentric reaction - an attempt to judge all groups of people from the standpoint of only one's own culture. Often, when joining the MC and evaluating their communication partners, communicants are already deliberately guided by pre-existing stereotypes. However, the degree of stereotyping is lower in individuals with experience in intercultural communication, who had the opportunity to be convinced of the falsity of certain stereotypes. In most cases, the degree of stereotyping is inversely proportional to the experience of intercultural interaction. However, this rule does not always work due to the individual characteristics of the communicators and can be aggravated due to traits that are unfavorable for communication (ill-will, bias, a tendency to criticize, etc.).

With regard to MC, there are exostereotypes, i.e. external stereotypes that have developed among representatives of one culture about another, and endostereotypes, i.e., myths about themselves that exist within a given culture.

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 acquired 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 evaluate himself, to attribute himself to any particular group, or to have an idea of \u200b\u200bhis own personality.

general information

For the first time, such an element as ethnic stereotypes of behavior was discussed in 1922. This was done by 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 a person.

First, when people come into contact with a complex social object that they have not seen before, they simply do not know how to behave. And in this case, they will be helped by the “pictures of the world”, which are in their heads and thoughts, are passed down from generation to generation.

Secondly, with the help of stereotypes, each person will be able to justify himself, to protect himself. Consequently, his positions, 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 orienting themselves 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 information about them is available.

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

Stereotypes at the dawn of history

Initially, ethnic stereotypes meant only one thing: all strangers are enemies. Meeting with other tribes promised only death and war, therefore long time people could not communicate with each other.

When intertribal 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 primitive society. He became not just a fellow tribesman 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 the images of the other was based on certain historical moments. For example, if another society was constantly in conflict 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 indefinitely. Moreover, prejudices will be based only on one nationality, they contain the thought of people connected by culture, homeland and behavior.

There are several stereotypes that Russians refer 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, not a single American will screw in a new light bulb on his own if it has burned out. This will be done by a specially trained person.
All Spaniards are too emotional, they are quick-tempered.

At the same time, other nations also develop about a Russian person. The most common of them is a tamed bear that plays the balalaika, and, of course, vodka - all Russians have breakfast, lunch and dinner with it.

Classification

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

Perceptions 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, elders should be respected, and so on. Such stereotypes will fit in the minds of the younger generation only on the condition that the elders are engaged in their implementation, and not just empty talk.
Intersexual stereotypes. Examples: women should take care of the house, and men should work; boys don't cry, girls are always stupid.
age stereotypes. Examples: in parenting and control, old people always grumble.
ethnic stereotypes.

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

How is the process of formation

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 prejudices is still present.

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

Ethnic stereotypes first make themselves felt in adolescence, when a person is as defenseless as possible in front of them. If a girl or a guy has not yet formed his own opinion on some matter, 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 pace of development of thinking simply have no idea how to think differently. But still, changes are present, 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 it is still impossible to completely exclude them. The primitive ethnic picture of the world is quite different. Then prejudices played a special role, they helped the tribes to survive. For example, with some communities, relations could be established, with others - hostile. And the sooner a new member of the society found out about this, the more chances he had for survival.

In modern times, ethnic stereotypes are based more on emotions than on hostility, and so on. Most often they carry a negative load. For example, if a Russian communicates with an American, then due to prejudices, he may initially frivolously evaluate his interlocutor. It will add bad emotions, and both. The same is the case with other nations.

ethnic tolerance

Today, the ethnic stereotype and the 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). stereotype. But they could be familiar with a single Scot who dressed the same as everyone else, that is, in trousers or jeans. This is an ethnic image.

In modern times, to civil society was formed correctly, it is necessary to educate tolerance in the younger generation. The latter lays the ability to appreciate and respect the culture of other peoples, their traditions and customs. If we take 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 mentors is to create such conditions under which young people will not follow the imposed opinion. Adolescents must independently develop their own thinking process, and hence their own stereotypes.

If not given the opportunity young generation, 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 some prejudices, then he will not refute them in the process of life. On the contrary, he will constantly find examples that confirm them.

Accordingly, in order for interethnic communication to reach a new tolerant level, it is necessary to abandon stereotypes.

Conclusion

Thus, ethnic stereotypes of behavior are not at all the product that generalizes the same or similar features of one nation. In them personal qualities individual people are replaced by deliberately one-sided prejudice. The latter, in turn, is a negative attitude towards a particular group of people.

As a result of appropriate behavior, alertness is formed, and on both sides. The former follow their stereotypes, the latter behave badly due to a disrespectful attitude. A certain alienation is formed, which causes misunderstandings, and also complicates all subsequent interaction.