Page 37 - CROSS CULTURE

simplistic views, opinions or images, are based on what they

have in common within members of another group.(Katia, 2007)

"Stereotypes" and "generalizations" emerge and are
believed by most people who don't really know culture because

it is shaped and constructed by the mass media. The mass media

portrays African Americans as entertainers, athletes, and

criminals. In fact, in fact, they are not fully engaged in these

professions. Similarly, the media's construction of Arabs who
are considered terrorists simply because of terrorist clothing

that mimics the way Arabs dress in general. Similarly, gender-

based stereotypes differ on how men and women should

behave. These "stereotypes" and "generalizations" are of course

very detrimental to some who have attitudes, characters, and
behaviours that are different from what has been constructed by

the media.

B. Kinds of Stereotypes

Preconceived notions about certain cultures or nations can inspire

pride, ire, or just plain offensive humor. Some claim that since stereotypes
don’t form in a vacuum, they all have some basis in reality. A system of

culturally specific assumptions linked to an individual’s nationality is
known as a nationality stereotype. This system contains ideas about

human characteristics that might differ between countries, such as
appearance, language, diet, habits, psychological qualities, attitudes, and

values. The following are a few well-known national stereotypes

worldwide.

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