Identify stereotypes that you have of other groups
or individuals (and their positions).
We all use stereotypes.
To make sense of the world, we create shortcuts based on our past
experiences to make day-to-day living a bit easier. If we had to evaluate
each and every person and each and every situation based on their
unique characteristics, we would be evaluating each and every minute
of our lives!!
In social relationships,
one positive aspect of stereotyping is that it is economical. For
example, we don't need to meet and evaluate each and every white supremacist
to realize that we probably would not get along with someone who is a white supremacist. One
negative aspect is that we often mischaracterize other groups or individuals.
Particular groups may draw certain types or kinds of
people with particular sets of worldviews, but that does not necessarily
mean that they are bad people, are fanatic about their views, cannot
be reasoned with, or that they could not possibly share some common beliefs or interests with us.
Two benefits of a stereotype are that: 1) we can realize that we hold
a stereotype about a particular person or group, and 2) that stereotype can be examined
and reevaluated.
Stereotypes about
particular groups may feature our perceptions of how others frame
dispute situations. Flawed perceptions or misunderstandings of others' frames are likely, however, because we may not have taken
the time necessary to evaluate the group and its members thoroughly.
Here is an exercise to help you better understand the frames of other
groups.
Think
of a group with which you may be in conflict (this can be a social group,
an interest group, a religious group, or a cultural group).
- Identify your
feelings about the group:
- What are its members like?
- What types of individuals belong to the group?
- What kinds of arguments do the group's members make in the context of this conflict?
Think
of members of the group that do not fit the characteristics that
you outlined above.
- Can you think
of cases or places where individuals do not adhere to these descriptions
of them?
- Do all members
necessarily share the same views, values, or feel as strongly about
the same arguments?
- Can you find
any common characteristics, interests, or beliefs that you share
with these individuals?
If possible,
try to meet and get to know, or even interview a member of the opposing
group.
- Did they fit
the stereotype that you had of them?
Often, the stereotypes
that we have of particular groups create frames for us. They frame how
we see and interpret the arguments and positions of other groups,
and how we think about their frames. Often, our own frames prevent
us from clearly understanding the frames that other groups use to
see the dispute.
Now that you have
completed these exercises, you are ready to begin thinking about understanding
your own frames.
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