Coping with Stereotypes

1. Coping with Stereotypes Stereotypes is an image one has about another culture it promotes negative themes in society. Has a strong effect on the intellect. One shouldn’t be judgmental. Danger/ destruction of empathy/ dev. Of antipathy towards other culture ‘US vs. them’ e.g. some common European assumptions about Americans ( loud- politically naive-overweight-materialistic) - Generalization of negative characteristics Only causes ‘annoyance’/ unfair.

2. The reductionist nature of stereotyping eliminates the differences between subcultures in a society/ prevents one from perceiving the richness & diversity. • Advertisements, satirical cartoons & the media are rich sources of a culture’s self-image • They can be used to promote positive and fightnegative stereotypes / depending on the image that a country wants to project to the world • The use of positive themes will challenge the negative stereotypes and perceptions / e.g. ‘Superman’

3. Humour • Humour as a remedy for some stereotypes • Riddle: a linguistic puzzle used to challenge one’s wit word games/ to entertain and engage/independent/ appeal to all age groups • Ancient times/ teach lessons/ ‘the riddle of the sphinx’ • Nature of riddles changed/ to mislead, trick and amuse • Word play/ leopard (e.g.) • Idiomatic expressions/ solution is the wrong answer • A way of communicating with a specific goal/ stimulate thought/ enjoyable learning tools • Reflects the way ppl think in a specific culture