Reflective Journal: WHAT IS STEREOTYPES' STRUCTURE?

Figure 1: Mind map: Stereotypes–What is stereotypes' structure?

Stereotype is a familiar concept in society. Though, the concept is abstract and can barely be defined accurately. Hence, in this journal, I would like to talk about stereotype in connection to some common social examples.

As I understand, the definition of stereotype can be considered as assumptions or beliefs on a group of people or things. These can be described as standardized images or concept that strongly influence on people's perception, letting them imagine the world as they know it. According to Richard Dyer (1993), one of the functions of stereotype is 'an ordering process'. It refers to the stereotype's utility of providing comprehensions that are easy to understand, although they are not fully true, it is better to know something than to know nothing at all. The other function is "an expression of 'our' values and beliefs". By this, Richard means stereotype is dominantly ideologic.

Stereotype is a part of everyday life, it is everywhere and it is not true or false. Supposed in Western society, 'smart Asians' stereotype is very common. A large number of people tend to believe that all Asians are good at doing maths although some of them barely know an Asian in person. This stereotypical thinking is proceed from the heavy education system in most Asian countries, Asian students have to deal with all kind of formulas since they are still in secondary school. Therefore, complex mathematic formulas, which seem to be such big problems to Western students, are in fact not so unfamiliar to most Asian ones. Whereas, there are also Asians with difficulties in solving maths, and this reflects stereotype as it is sporadically true.

To summarize, studying about stereotype concept helps me gain further knowledge about people's stereotypical thinking. I find stereotype is not a bad thing and somehow it is very useful for a future communicator like me.

REFERENCE

Baran, SJ 2010, 'Introduction to mass communication: Media Literacy and Culture', 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, Singapore

​Lacey, N 2009, 'Image and representation: key concepts in media studies', 2nd edn, Macmillan, England.

(RMIT Vietnam - Communication & Social Relations - Reflective Journal)