Ethnic Stereotypes in New Zealand and Their Impact on Behavior
Ethnic Stereotypes in New Zealand and their Impact on Behaviour
Within the world of psychology, the subject of prejudice has been studied intensively. And like all other attitudes, prejudice is made up of three different components: an emotional component, a behavioural component, and a cognitive component. Stereotypes represent this cognitive aspect of prejudice.
According to the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), stereotypes express generalised evaluative beliefs about a particular group of people that vary according to the degree of warmth and competence (Asbrock, Nieuwoudt, Duckitt, & Sibley, 2011; Sibley et al., 2011). Variations in these two dimensions come about by socio-structural aspects of intergroup relations. Specifically, differences in group status (ie. income level, occupation type, education level) predict stereotypes of competence while differences in levels of societal competition predict stereotypes of warmth.
Studying stereotypes is important because the way people think affects the way they feel about and treat others. This literature review examines the stereotypes of the four main ethnic groups residing in New Zealand – Pakeha, Asian, Maori and Pacific Nations people, and how these stereotypes may lead to differences in societal behaviour towards these groups.
Stereotypes in NZ
In a study done by Sibley et al. (2011), societal stereotypes of Pakeha, Asian, Maori and Pacific Nations New Zealanders were examined. It was found that Pakeha were viewed as both highly warm and highly competent, Asian New Zealanders were viewed as highly competent but low in warmth, Maori were seen as low-to-moderate in both warmth and competence, and finally Pacific Nations peoples were seen as highly warm but low in competence.
These findings hold important implications for understanding the unique socio-political context of ethnic group relations in New Zealand. Understanding these implications will offer insights into ways in which different ethnic groups
Within the world of psychology, the subject of prejudice has been studied intensively. And like all other attitudes, prejudice is made up of three different components: an emotional component, a behavioural component, and a cognitive component. Stereotypes represent this cognitive aspect of prejudice.
According to the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), stereotypes express generalised evaluative beliefs about a particular group of people that vary according to the degree of warmth and competence (Asbrock, Nieuwoudt, Duckitt, & Sibley, 2011; Sibley et al., 2011). Variations in these two dimensions come about by socio-structural aspects of intergroup relations. Specifically, differences in group status (ie. income level, occupation type, education level) predict stereotypes of competence while differences in levels of societal competition predict stereotypes of warmth.
Studying stereotypes is important because the way people think affects the way they feel about and treat others. This literature review examines the stereotypes of the four main ethnic groups residing in New Zealand – Pakeha, Asian, Maori and Pacific Nations people, and how these stereotypes may lead to differences in societal behaviour towards these groups.
Stereotypes in NZ
In a study done by Sibley et al. (2011), societal stereotypes of Pakeha, Asian, Maori and Pacific Nations New Zealanders were examined. It was found that Pakeha were viewed as both highly warm and highly competent, Asian New Zealanders were viewed as highly competent but low in warmth, Maori were seen as low-to-moderate in both warmth and competence, and finally Pacific Nations peoples were seen as highly warm but low in competence.
These findings hold important implications for understanding the unique socio-political context of ethnic group relations in New Zealand. Understanding these implications will offer insights into ways in which different ethnic groups
References: Asbrock, F., Nieuwoudt, C., Duckitt, J., & Sibley, C. G. (2011). Societal stereotypes and the legitimation of intergroup behaviour in germany and new zealand. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 11(1), 154-179. Sibley, C. G., Robertson, A., Hoverd, W. J., West-Newman, T., Asbrock, F., Stewart, K., … Sengupta, N. (2011). Ethnic group stereotypes in new zealand. New Zealand Journal of Pscyhology, 40(2), 25-36. * Articles were found from UClibrary websearch search tool by typing: stereotypes AND new zealand AND behaviour. There were 5742 hits found and the articles were the first two on the list.