The stereotypes we maintain are closely associated with the image we have of the groups. A simplified image, with few details. We use this image to evaluate all members of the same group as well, and it also serves to justify certain behaviors, however, each stereotype is different and has different characteristics, in addition, the stereotype usually includes two characteristics: sociability and competence.
Examples of common stereotypes are that Spaniards like partying and flamenco, but a good nap is also necessary. Italians are gangsters and all Latinos know how to dance very well. Likewise, all Arabs are terrorists and Asians are all the same. mention that women would be more loving and sensitive than men. These and many other stereotypes are very popular.
- The stereotypical content model states that all group stereotypes are formed in two dimensions: sociability and competence.
The model is based on the notion that people are evolutionaryly more likely to evaluate, on the one hand, the intentions of strangers, whether they focus on harming or helping (a dimension of sociability, although also known as affection) and, on the other hand, judging the foreigner’s ability to act on this perceived intention (judicial dimension).
In this way, people attribute little sociability to the groups with which they compete and treat them with hostility and disdain; on the other hand, social groups and individuals with high social status (e. g. economically or educationally successful) are considered highly competent.
Thus, when there is no threat, they are considered sociable, while status symbols will determine competition.
“When I went to school, I remember there were several stereotypes. If you liked the Rolling Stones, you were a chicken, because Mick Jagger kissed Keith Richards on Saturday night live. If you liked The Grateful Dead, you were a hippie, he liked sex pistols, he was a punk rocker I wanted to be a hippie punk rocker ladybug?. – Axl Rose-
The stereotypical content model, as we have seen above, has two dimensions (sociability and competence) in which different groups are evaluated, in this way the groups and their members can score more or less in each dimension, resulting in four conditions. in each dimension separately:
To this model of stereotypes formed by sociability and competence, there are also behaviors and emotions that correspond to each of the dimensions that make up the model, so those who were considered very sociable and competent were considered more susceptible to arouse admiration.
On the other hand, those who are judged with high sociability and low competition are more likely to receive paternalistic treatment, for example, the elderly.
On the other hand, there are those who are considered insociable and very competent, would arouse envy and be the perfect candidates to be used as scapegoats when things go wrong. Some groups historically classified in this way are Jews, Asians and feminists.
Finally, those who have a low level of sociability and competence would provoke contempt and the action against them is rejection, dehumanization. This group usually includes the homeless.
In this way we bring together the different social groups and their members, it is clear that the most disadvantaged groups are considered weak in competition and sociability, social studies tell us that we try to avoid the people of these groups, on the other hand, People with high levels of sociability and competence are usually members of our group. This is partly the result of the group’s favoritism or the endogroup bias.
“Are stereotypes tired truths?” – George Steiner-