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Stereotypes
"As well as categorising objects, we also categorise people into groups […]
When we construct a simplified and limited model from the characteristics of
a few group members and apply these to the whole group, what we are doing is
stereotyping." Stereotypes can be classified in a positive or a negative sense
and are not always limited to race or gender. Stereotyping often happens
not so much because of aggressive or unkind thoughts but develops subconsciently
through environmental conditioning.
In the following, the focus lies on the images
IMG_10 and IMG_11. Concerning IMG_10 which shows a young man with a bald head,
one person (male) assumed that he may be a Skinhead. As one can see, this is a classical
stereotyping where a young man having a bald head is automatically connected to the
right wing extremist milieu without having any clue for this connection.
"It is easier to create stereotypes when there is a clearly visible and consistent
attribute that can easily be recognized." Although, a bald head can stand for a
member of a right wing extremist group, it is often only a fashionable accessory for
young people to attract attention. Furthermore, two participants (male, female)
completely disliked the young man arguing that he looks unfriendly and even aggressive.
This reaction can also be a indication of a subconscious prejudice which biases our
decisions and actions and lastly leads to stereotype the guy. With not expressing
directly any connection to a right wing extremist group maybe the participants want to
avoid any kind of categorization in order to be polite and unprejudiced.
The image which caused almost the same reaction of every participant turned out to be
the "Heavy-Metal guy".(IMG_11). Three participants (male, female) referred to him as
a KISS - duplicate which shows a clear stereotyping. Having make-uped his face and dressed
in black make him belong to a certain group which often seems strange and weird to other people.
In addition, another female participant denoted the guy as an satanist and goth which is a
popular cliché as well. As already said above, it is easier to classify somebody if he has an
visible characteristic. In most cases, the dark and sepulchral dressing make-up is only the
wish to express and show sense of belonging to a group which appreciates a certain kind of music.
Nevertheless, many people are afraid and scared of such an appearance as was expressed by
the two of the elder female participants considering the guy as fearsome and repellent.
Most notably, in the mind of elder people the vision and prejudice of the "scary satanist
guy who eats little children" is often predominant.
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