Basing collective and individual decisions regarding the tone, style, or other aspects of communication on certain stereotypes is a complicated task. To engage in productive stereotyping, one should keep certain things in mind. Module (2018) suggests adding more traits to the created ‘image’: for instance, rather than perceiving people of Asian descent as reserved or quiet, one can learn more about other cultural traits: for instance, respect for authority or collective-oriented mindset. By using stereotypes in such a way, it may help in specifically inquiring someone’s opinion and making sure their voice is heard. In this situation, knowing that certain cultural groups are less combative or less likely to voice their opinion may help to obtain needed information and thus improve communication.
In many situations, stereotyping is necessary for one’s brain to categorize the obtained data and avoid being overwhelmed with new information. By being able to make predictions about someone’s behavior, a person can select a certain tone and style of communication (Module, 2018). However, there are many situations in which constructing a simplified image of someone is hurtful. The same stereotypes about people of Asian descent may be turned to perceive them as submissive. Such a perception may prompt some people to force their opinion on their Asian colleagues or classmates when it comes to group work and communication around it, disregarding the ideas of the latter.
While it often brings more harm than support, under certain circumstances stereotyping a certain individual may be helpful to promote productive interaction. One of the examples of when categorizing someone may lead to better outcomes in the realm of communication is when a stereotype is more complex and multifaceted (Module, 2018). In other words, a productive use of stereotypes begins when people’s stereotypes shift away from a one-dimensional, simplified images of what a certain social group represents. However, when stereotypes are reductionist and are used to discriminate against one social group as a ‘lesser-than,’ it becomes damaging.
Reference
Module, J. M. (2018). How stereotypes affect communication. Building Bridges: Indo-European Intercultural Dynamics. Web.