Cultural Generalizations

To talk or write about culture one has to generalise about the cultural characteristics of the
nationalities discussed. It is not possible to do otherwise, as we are discussing the behaviour and
values of groups of people, not individuals – passed on at a collective level from generation to
generation. The study of cultures is a social science, and – as Aristotle points out three times in the
introduction to his Ethics – in the social sciences, accuracy is not the same as in the physical sciences.
One has to use phrases such as ‘in general….’, or ‘this tends to be the case…’

Of course, we have to be as accurate as possible, but prepared to modify our approach quickly if our
counterpart does not correspond individually to the generalisation. Pushed too far, any
generalisation becomes absurd, but it can be a good starting-point from which to go deeper. We also
need to be careful to think descriptively, not evaluatively: for instance, we can say ‘Italians tend to
talk a lot’, but not ‘Italians talk too much’.

Being aware of and understanding the patterns of the cultures to which one belongs (nation, age,
gender, etc.) provides the basis for understanding other cultures and their sub- or co-cultures.
Cultural generalizations can help us with this process.

Cultural generalizations involve categorizing members of the same group as having similar
characteristics. Generalizations are flexible and allow for the incorporation of new cultural
information. They are a type of hypothesis, or guess, of what we expect to encounter when we
interact with a certain culture. This flexibility can subsequently lead to increased cultural curiosity
and awareness and thereby improve intercultural relationships. Generalizations are a necessary part
of intercultural communication as they can help us to anticipate, sort, and make sense of the new
information and sensations we experience in intercultural situations. Cultural generalizations can be
used as a base to build upon, while we continue to seek out more information about individuals from
other cultures.

An example of a cultural generalization would be “People from Country X tend to have an indirect
style of communication.” Cultural generalizations allow for individual difference and help build
cultural awareness. Cultural generalizations must not be applied to every person within a culture
group, however, and must not be confused with cultural stereotypes.

Helpful examples of cultural generalizations can be found in our other Culture Points, like
Individualism & Collectivism and Direct & Indirect Communication Styles.

Cultural Stereotypes
Generalizations become stereotypes when all members of a group are categorized as having the
same characteristics. Stereotypes can be linked to any type of cultural membership, such as
nationality, religion, gender, race, or age. Also, stereotypes may be positive or negative. For example,
a positive stereotype would be “Participants from Country Y are good students” or “Host families in
Country Z are great hosts to participants.”

Stereotypes, however, tend to be more negative than generalizations. Also, they are typically
inflexible and resistant to new information. They can, and often do, lead to prejudice and intentional
or unintentional discrimination. A negative stereotype may be “People from Country A are
superficial.” Whereas cultural generalizations give us a starting point from which to continue learning
about others, cultural stereotypes do not allow for individual difference and interfere with efforts to
understand others.

The Advantage of Gauging a Situation

Stereotypes are useful tools if you are in a new situation and need to make quick judgments and fast
decisions. For example, if you have never been around a member of royalty or someone of great
political stature, you might stereotype them as being formal and reserved, which will help you to
respond to them in a respectful manner that mirrors their behaviour.

The Advantage of Making Sense of the World

Everybody subscribes to some stereotypes because identifying types is the method the brain uses to
sort information. Stereotypes are, in fact, “short cuts” taken unconsciously to help people make
decisions more easily and quickly, hence the tendency to unthinkingly accept them.

The world is such a vast place, inhabited by billions of people so it is no wonder we seek out ways to
simplify our surroundings so that they are easier to digest and understand. Stereotypes enable you to
categorise people into manageable boxes, which allows you to form expectations about people and
situations making life more predictable and easier to understand. For example, similar to the way
that foods are put in \to types so you can make choices about where and what you eat, stereotypes
provide people with a way of acknowledging different groups of human beings.

The Disadvantage of Making Snap Judgements

The downside of using a stereotype to make a judgment about someone is that it might be
completely misguided and incorrect, causing you to act inappropriately or worse still, offend
somebody. It is too simplistic to assume that groups of people share the same ideals and personality
traits just because they have something in common like their dress sense, culture or taste in music.
This is a form of prejudice and can be distressing for the person who is being prejudged, who might
feel that they are misunderstood, particularly when a stereotype is racially motivated. The saying
"Don't judge a book by its cover" demonstrates that appearance isn't enough to understand who a
person really is.

The Stereotype Threat

Stereotypes can plant seedlings of insecurity which flower over time. For an instance, when you’re
stereotyped over and over again, you begin to internalise the negative characteristics associated with
the stereotype and allow them to become ‘self-fulfilled prophecies’. This is referred to as a
Stereotype Threat. People who face a stereotype threat are always in fear of doing something that
could potentially confirm a negative stereotype. In the process, it can harm the self-esteem and
performance of affected individuals as they believe their abilities or traits are restricted to the
moulds of their stereotype.

Can it be positive

Possibly. This also depends on context and situation as well. Positive stereotypes prop up favourable
generalisations or statements that suggest excellence of the targeted group. For an instance, the
stereotype of Asians ‘being good at academics’ can be seen as complimentary as it uplifts the general
view of Asian intellect. However, while some positive stereotypes could be intended as
‘compliments’ the targets of such stereotypes can feel depersonalized as if they are being
acknowledged exclusively through their category membership. Some stereotypes don’t necessarily
have negative connotations attached to them but could cause harm depending on how it is
perceived. Statements like ‘you did well for a woman’, may not be intended to be sexist, but can
incite anger from the female population because it implies their gender is a hindrance.

Educate yourself

Get to know them! If you are wondering about that neighbor that seems a bit out of sorts and
perhaps unkempt, go say hello. Don’t assume that they are troublesome or have issues. Give them a
shot! You could end up with a great friend! I did – turns out that she was depressed, she had Post-
Partum Depression, and her husband was deployed. You never know – you could end up with a
bestie and help them to boot!

Stop yourself 

The next time that you see someone and start thinking, “Oh, she/he is this or that” – STOP right there
(You can do it!) and ask yourself, “Why did I just have that reaction? What is it that is truly bothering
me about him/her?” Try to reframe what you’re thinking about them.

Put yourself in their shoes :

Remember, we are all walking this life in our own way. We all have problems, concerns, difficulties,
tragedies and triumphs. Before you judge, try to imagine what it’s like to be them.