Stereotypes RCAL, Oct 2010

Dictionary definition “A fixed general image, characteristic, etc. that a lot of people believe to represent a particular type of person or thing.” (Collins Cobuild Dictionary)

Stereotyping When someone claims that members of another culture all share the same, often inferior or offensive characteristics.

Types of stereotypes racial e.g. Red Indians in cowboy films are seen as bloodthirsty savages gender e.g. women are bad drivers age e.g. old people are said to be very forgetful religion e.g. Catholics families have a lot of children profession e.g. all lawyers are greedy

Heaven and Hell Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and it is all organised by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it is all organised by the Italians.

The typical Frenchman

Historical basis

The typical Englishman

Basis in fiction

Where do stereotypes come from? Parents and family The media Friends Education (school, university) Travel Laziness Fear Envy A sense of superiority Lack of experience of people, etc.