Stereotypes
Adler (2013) suggested that communication is a very mysterious phenomenon and contains many different impulses and exchanges. He wrote " communication therefore involves a complex, multilayered, dynamic process through which we exchange meaning "(p.70). 'Meaning' is the key word in this phrase as this invisible force is the source of much misunderstanding and hardship. Many times we are too hard on ourselves for having prejudices and stereotypical thought patterns even though they are truly devoid of any objective meaning.
Even though the majority of people in the U.S. believe they are not biased, they are truly wrong, but what is worse, is the negative connotations that are attached to having this bias. The individual nature of existence presents a unique situation for human consciousness and the challenging part of that dynamic is the ability to apply empathetic reasoning to another's situation. We are subjective creatures, experiencing the world with a unique set of senses, and we should not hide from that fact.
Stereotypes are introduced as generalities within the human psyche to help reduce the amount of analysis that needs to be put into any thinking situation. It is an empathetic shortcut. There is truly no harm in having these thoughts. Science has taught us that our DNA is all unique and no two people are the same in any exact way. but, science has also taught us that we are all living creatures sharing the same planet and environment. The appropriateness of bias therefore lies somewhere in the middle of this spectrum of the individual and the collective.
Culture is the true origin of the limitations of collective thought and this is where the ideas of bias and stereotypes takes form. Northouse (2013) added " culture consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas and especially their attached values; culture systems may, on the one hand, be considered as products of action, on the other, as conditioning elements of future action " (p.18). Culture is an imaginary force, and like our biases, are merely thoughts and should be treated as such. Culture can be very unfriendly when irrational stereotypes are applied in situations where clear judgments and a rational weighing of the issues is more pertinent.
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