Intracultural and Intercultural Causes of Stereotypes
“Intracultural communication” is often a trigger for stereotypes. First a definition of “Intracultural communication” is “the type of communication that takes place between members of the same dominant culture, but with slightly different values,” (Samovar and Porter, 2001), as opposed to “intercultural communication” which is the communication between two distinct cultures. An example of intracultural communication triggering a stereotype would be if a person in the dominant culture, let’s say of the United States, spoke Ebonics. If a non-Ebonics speaking person hears Ebonics, a dialect of English with slang,, they may assume the person is of low intelligence, and is a criminal or violent in nature. These initial thoughts are unfounded and more than likely incorrect.
The next stereotype involves communication between an able-bodies person and a disable person. What stereotypes immediately comes to mind? First the very use of the word “disabled person” indicates a stereotype. The limitation of a person before knowledge of the person is a stereotype. Th problems individuals with physical disabilities are faced with in society are bountiful. First they are immediately labeled because their deficiency is apparent. The next assumption most people make is that just because they are physically challenged that they must also be mentally challenged. T his is not true in most cases. People may offer help, thinking they are being charitable when they actually may make the recipient of the help feel belittled, patronized, and judged. Most physically challenged people can manage fine on their own, and will ask if they need assistance.
Gender rules of conduct are another “hidden” stereotype. As we grow up we communicate in our societies, and learn many things about how we are supposed to live and act and be. It is through communication and interactions with our community that we learn what masculine and feminine means, and which ones we are supposed to be. It is also through communication that we express our femininity or masculinity to others. The idea that a woman is supposed to be soft and fragile and shop is a stereotype as is the idea that men are supposed to be strong and lift weights and work on cars. These stereotypes have been fed to us from our births, and cause a great deal of confusion and frustration to people who don’t quite fit those rules.
The final “hidden” stereotype this essay will address is that of elderly stereotyping. The stereotypes that follow this co-culture around is that they are physically unable to perform up to their younger counterparts, that they have nothing left to offer a community, and that they are not mentally alert any more. Although some senior citizens fit that stereotype, most do not. There are many active members of society who are senior citizens. They travel, volunteer, work, and own and operate businesses, but because of the stereotypes inflicted by society their opinions and experience are often overlooked. Intergenerational communication is always a problem. Each generation believes they are unique in their fears, ambition, strengths, and struggles. When ageism is added to this already complex issue, senior citizens are discriminated against and thought of as an old geezer, and devaluated by society.
Now that some of the stereotypes have been exposed, it is easy to see that there are many issues related to stereotyping. The next step is changing the negative impacts that stereotyping has on society, is to start changing the way you see these selected groups. See each person as an individual and not a label, disability, gender, or generation.
References
Samovar, Larry A. and Porter, Richard. (2001). Intercultural Communication Reader. New York: Thomas Learning Publications.
