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Assignment explains the ideologies Stereotyping and ethnocentrism,in more detail and will compare and contrasts these.

Home, - Reflection on cultural values and cultural groups

Perceptions about culture, cultural values and cultural groups are quite complex and there are several ideologies that actually explains prevailing cultural perceptions. These perceptions make up important contribution to a particular type of treatment of segregated group or class of people in society. Stereotyping and ethnocentrism are some of the concepts that explain the perceptions of the people in general. The following part of the discussion explains these ideologies in more detail and will compare and contrasts these ideologies in more detail. Also there are discussion made on few examples as indicated in the US media and other similar channels. Further these stereotypes are evaluated with reference to the communication value orientations.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST OF STEREOTYPING AND ETHNOCENTRISM 

Stereotyping is not unique to one particular culture or nation. They do exist in all regions and nations in general. Stereotyping is an evolution from the human nature. This is a sweeping generalization that normally happens in societies. It normally occurs by forcing the traits observed from a group on to the individuals that belong to that particular group. However they are notorious in the sense, they are mainly based on hasty generalizations. Stereotyping is generally found based on second hand information; the impact of the media, friends, teachers and other interactions that individuals face in society will decide these stereotyping generalizations. Also they happen based on the outdated information in most of the cases. Some of the examples like Arabs lives in tents is a stereotyping generalization; It may be true in the past, it may be applicable to some Arabs still, however it is not worth generalizing., but stereotyping will let the people believes these characteristics are real and make one to assume that all individuals from Arab Communities live in tents. Another example of stereotyping is based on limited sampling or limited exposure, there may be cases that some of the Germans are blond and some might have these experiences with Germans. However believing that every German is blond is not correct. Stereotyping can be based on vividness too. Which mean observations done based on large scale observations. In all these cases, Generalization is not actually logically justified and it is an ill practice.  Ethnocentrism is also an example of narrow-minded attitude, where in the one believes that his own group of race is the centre for everything and each and every other community or race are rated or judged against this. Ethnocentrism like stereotyping normally evolve from false prejudice, However stereotyping will occur when implications are made for other races and communities and ethnocentrism is different in the sense, one’s own community or race will become the centre for entire reflection. In both the cases, there normally will be certain amount of pompousness about self and discrimination on others. Ethnocentrism is the cause some times for effecting stereotyping. Germans during the times of Hitler believed that they are the best and superior most as per ethnocentric ideologies, the same spirits created an ideology of stereotyping of Jews as inferiors. Ethnocentric thinking often leads to ethnic violence as well. Ethnocentric ideology invariable relates everything with one’s own self and own race however stereotyping need not consider one’s own race or ethnicity as part of their reflection, rather they are based on generalizations as per the reasons discussed above.

STEREOTYPING OF CULTURAL GROUPS IN UNITED STATES

African Americans cultural group is one that is the most unfortunate  cultural group in America that are often stereotyped in more than one negative way by TV and other media channels in the country. African Americans are often considered as burglars and delinquents. Guo et al (2014) done investigative work on the stereotyping of African Americans and indicated that they are mainly shown as delinquents and robbers. Different channels were investigated by Guo and they informed that YouTube and other similar channels indicated the same like it was mentioned as in the main stream stereotyping. Sailes (2017) also indicated stereotyping of African Americans in his investigations in media of US. He claimed that often they are represented as best sportsmen. However there are instances where African Americans are not very best sportsmen. As well there are instances where other races and ethnicities showed exemplary performance in sports. These two examples are two popular cases of stereotyping of African Americans in United States in several popular channels. Also there is some stereotyping observed for Asians as power distant as well it is stereotyped that countries like India are often depicted as uncertain and not suitable for US employees to work for or live in. The working conditions of Asians are stereotypes as not good.

CULTURE COMMUNICATION VALUE ORIENTATIONS

Power distance is a culture’s value dimension that discusses how a person is comfortable with power and leadership. This is often associated with the characteristics of the people who like to take the lead and responsibility in initiatives. Often Asians are stereotyped in US media as power distant; However it is not totally true, they do participate in decision making and they are sensitive towards event occurring around them. Similar value orientation of individualism and collectivism discusses about how Asians behave in general. In general it is stereotypes that the organizations do not work collectively in Asia, as indicated in US media. However it is not totally true, there are organizations moved towards collectivism, collaboration and proactiveness. Asian organizations and culture are nowhere worth down rating now on culture value orientation. In any case, US media and so many other main stream communication channels and media streams believe and stereotypes that the Indians are more individualistic in organizations and proactiveness is less. Further they communicate that the value orientation of power distance is very high in the country unlike other countries like Australia. The same trend is being communicated. But there is change and the people are in line with modern proactive thinking and the nations are progressing with low power distance, collectivism, collaboration and with better working conditions. There is need to stop this stereotyping and the true picture need to be considered.

IMPACT ON COMMUNICATION:

There is every chance this mass mediated value orientations will change the thinking psychology of the people. It is possible that I can believe that all African Americans are burglars and it is possible for me to discriminate them from giving better responsible positions and tasks in my team and I may discriminate them while communicating. Also similar aspects are possible while discussing with the Asians, I may believe that they are power distant. I can communicate them as poor leaders and poor initiators. It may damage the spirits of some genuine and proactive Indians. Also I may make derogatory remarks on their past work environments and their exposure to positive work scenarios. Negative stereotyping has impact to damage the spirit of collaboration and will spoils positive communication with the member of that culture (Jandt, 2017).

CONCLUSION

Though there are only few examples provided in the report on stereotyping, the actual negative implications of stereotyping are several. Negative stereotyping will impact the image of the members of the effected culture and their relative position and outlook will get spoiled.

 

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