跨文化交际应用研究

Cultural Stereotype in Intercultural Communication

Abstract: Cultural stereotypes are inflexible statements about a category of people. It usually oversimplified, overgeneralized and exaggerated. The world we live in is full of different groups, each of which has its own custom and features. Stereotyping is a easier way to generalize culture characters of a certain group. To some extent, it is real and reasonable. There are many reasons why cultural stereotype forms. However, the oversimplified stereotypes have great negative impact on intercultural communication as well. If treated wrongly, they will become obvious barriers to such communication. This essay focuses on not only on the reasons that arising cultural stereotype, but also on how to turn the negative effects into communicating edges.

Key Words: cultural stereotype; intercultural communication; effect; attitude

1. Introduction

Intercultural communication is the communication between two distinct cultures. Each culture has its own custom and features, which make it different from others. The word “stereotype” is an industry jargon which originated in the world of printing. A stereotype is an inflexible mold used to print the same image over and over again. However, here in intercultural communication, the word refers to inflexible statements about a category of people. Stereotypical statements, either positive or negative, are applied to all members of a group without regard for individual differences. Through stereotyping, we can “make sense” of the world by categorizing and classifying people and situations we encounter.

2. The conformation and development of cultural stereotype

2.1 How do cultural stereotype form?

As the definition suggests, stereotypes do not develop suddenly but are formed over a period of time. They are made up of bits and pieces of information that we store and use to make sense of what goes on around us. They are connected with social custom and rules. As we grow up, we absorb the statements of differences among cultures from our parents, teachers and friends, which become our own stereotypes. The mess medium, such as TV, magazines, newspaper, books and Internet, also plays an important role in spreading and consolidating the stereotype. For example, by reading Travels of Marco Polo, westerners got the idea that China is extremely prosperous that gold can be seen everywhere in 13th century. Once established, stereotypes become relatively steady.

2.2 How do cultural stereotype develop?

The stereotypes are relatively steady, which can be right for a long time. Nevertheless, they can be influenced by some historic events like the change of international political relations. A good example is how we think of Japanese. We Chinese first thought they were wise, diligent and initiative. But after their invasion, the stereotypical impression on this nation turned into totally opposite—aggressive and extremely ethnocentric. The established stereotypes which were true might also change little by little with time goes by. For example, the stereotype that Chinese people tend to refuse praise from other people in order to show their humility was true in past thousands years. However, being influenced by the western culture, the situation has changed a bit now. It is common to see Chinese people say “thank you” when you compliment them.

3. The effects of cultural stereotype in intercultural communication

3.1 The positive effects of cultural stereotype

If the stereotypes are in coincidence with the truth, the benefits are apparent. They can be the first step toward learning more about another people or culture. When talking with a person from another culture, we may feel anxious that we have little idea of his likes and dislikes. At this moment, the stereotypes can help us know another individual or group that we are not familiar with easier and faster. As a result, their possible reactions and behaviors can be predicted before we communicate with them. For example, never will we ask the privacy—age, salary or marriages—of a westerner we first meet, because we have stereotyped that they might feel offended by such questions. Thus the possible unpleasantness or even conflict can be avoided. As

Thiederman(1991: 16) said, the primary reason that people stereotype in

workplace is to relieve anxiety, for it is human nature to feel anxious when situations are ambiguous or behavior is unpredictable. He believes that by stereotyping or by constructing categories which human beings can be placed, this anxiety is relieved, and we regain a sense of control and predictability. What’s more, stereotypes can not only release our anxiety, but also help us reach a successful communication. When negotiating with Germen, never will we play jokes to relieve the atmosphere for it may make them feel we are unserious. With the stereotypes, we can choose the most efficient and effective ways to fulfill our target.

3.2 The negative effects of cultural stereotype

However, like many things, cultural stereotype has two sides. And to my understanding, the negative effects overweigh the positive ones. Often stereotypes are problematic because they are oversimplified and exaggerated, basing on half-truth or distortions about a group of people. Many people have preconceived ideas and stereotypes about other cultures. Most of these stereotypes are probably erroneous, and built walls between cultures. The common effects are as follows:

First, they bring about widely false perception on the people we will communicate with. For instance, in America, the white commonly think all African-Americans are violent. Reports constantly show white people are attacked by them. As a result, the white become so scared that they keep a distance from them. Such kind of stereotype actually prevents communication between these two groups, which adds to the problem.

Second, Stereotypes often lead to self-fulfilling prophecies—people see in foreigners what they expect to see(Xiuzhen Ren, 2006:46), preventing some people of stereotyped groups from succeeding in activities or fields. An example of this would be the prevalent stereotype that women are not good at math and sciences, which in turn may cause women to internalize such beliefs and avoid studying or pursuing math or science related professions.

Besides, as an extension of ethnocentrism, stereotypes are one of the obvious barriers to intercultural communication, contributing to racism as well as the confrontation between cultures. Aloud, an American social psychologist claimed that being influenced by parents and environment, children around 5 years old have already learned to distinguish between the white and the black with the negative stereotypes on the black. When reaching 7, most of them show discrimination to Asians and Indians.

4. The correct attitude toward cultural stereotype

Taking all these above into consideration, how can we take advantage of cultural stereotype to the full? In fact, we can never get rid of the negative stereotype for good, because the environment we live in, no matter natural or social, is so complicated that no one can explore all the subtle parts to find the truth. However, it doesn’t mean that we can do nothing about these problems. Ting-Toomey (1999: 163) lists some ways to avoid the negative effects of stereotypes:

(1) Being aware that we are stereotyping;

(2) Assuming stereotypes are “best first guesses”, not “definite answers”;

(3) “Using loose, interpretive categories rather than evaluative categories”;

(4) Qualifying our perceptions and interpretations;

(5) Being open to new information ready to redefine categories;

(6) Getting to know the identities of individuals within the group;

(7) Recognizing “meaningful and valid differences” between our group and theirs.

In my opinion, not all the stereotypes must be avoided. We’d bette r make sure whether the stereotypes we have in our mind are right or wrong. If they are true, make full of them in your communication. If they are wrong, we should have a correct attitude to them in order to eliminate the possible negative effects on intercultural communication. This requires us to improve our psychological bearing capacity and use a tolerant, open and flexible attitude to cope with all the problems when facing the uncertainty during the communication. There are some basic communicating skills-- predicting the differences, sense of humor as well as venturesome spirit--can be used during the process. Meanwhile, we should search more information about other groups or cultures. When describing the cultural differences, we should try our best to avoid evaluating whether they are good or bad according to our personal perception. No culture is superior to others. The key is not getting rid of cultural stereotypes but getting out of them. Being aware of the possible incompleteness and incorrectness of our stereotypes when you are facing people from other cultures, you will surely get more accurate answers.

5. Conclusion

Cultural differences, which make the world colorful, need understanding. Finding and explaining the differences is just the beginning, while seeking commons and identities among cultures is the end. Can different cultures communicate with each other efficiently to reach an agreement? Of course, the answer is yes only if we can make full of the positive effects of cultural stereotype and turn the negative ones into benefits.

A successful intercultural communicator always has a good knowledge of the basic general features of other cultures. What contributes most is showing empathy when communicating with people from different background, with great tolerance, respect, patience and kindness