This section will help you to understand why people can experience culture shock. This is partly due to how we understand groups of other people. When making observations about groups of people it is important to understand the difference between generalisation, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.

How do we misunderstand people?

Generalisations

Broad statements based on limited facts, experiences, examples, or logic. Broad characterisation of cultural groups can serve as a framework for cultural interactions. For example, think about the research done by Erin Meyer and her book The Culture Map.

Stereotypes

Overgeneralisations; often assuming certain characteristics based on unfounded assumptions. Stereotypes can be positive or negative, but are usually an exaggerated idea of what a group is like. They are widely adopted thoughts representing group statements and interpretations made about a group of people. We stereotype people based on a wide variety of characteristics, such as gender, race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, body type, dress, income, career/job, country, state or city of origin, neighborhood, school, language, vocabulary, complexion, hair colour, clothing, accessories, body art, political party, diet and lifestyle, etc.).

Prejudice

An affective feeling towards a person or group member based solely on that person's group membership. As with stereotypes, prejudice can be either positive or negative. The word is often used to refer to preconceived, usually unfavorable, feelings towards people or a person because of particular personal characteristics. For example, their sex, gender, beliefs, values, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality, race/ethnicity, language, nationality, beauty, occupation, education, criminality, sport team affiliation. In this case, it refers to a positive or negative evaluation of another person based on that person's perceived group membership.

Discrimination

Unjust or negative treatment of a person or a group because of their class, identity or other characteristics. Discrimination often refers to behaviour. It can be direct, indirect, or structural. It often results from stereotypes or prejudicial attitudes. Even when we deliberately choose to go abroad. We tend to stick with people who are very similar to us. We tend to see those who look different more negatively, and we may judge or discriminate against ‘others’ unconsciously.

Exercise: can you recognize examples of generalisation, stereotypes and prejudice?

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