The stereotypes we hold about other people or groups can dictate how we treat them. But as we’re exposed to information that challenges those stereotypes, our views can become more positive – and our behavior may follow.
How to Do It
It’s important to start by acknowledging that we do hold stereotypes about individuals, based on their group identities. If we become more aware of the stereotypes we hold, we can ask where they come from. The next step is to make a concerted effort to find information that challenges these assumptions.
You could take a direct approach by getting to know someone who is a part of a different group. You could even ask them something like “What’s a common misconception or stereotype people have about you because of the groups (e.g., race, faith, or gender) you belong to?” You can follow up with a question like, “What’s something about you that challenges this stereotype?”
You can also make a deliberate effort to expose yourself to counter-stereotypical information through the news or content you consume. For instance, if you notice you have stereotypes about a certain political group – you think they don’t care about the environment, for instance – you could learn more about specific things they aredoing to protect the environment.
Pro Tip
The goal of exposing ourselves to counter-stereotypical information is to challenge our own assumptions and broaden our perspectives, not to create new stereotypes.
Why Try It
Our assumptions about other people are often based on available stereotypes, perhaps ones you’ve seen in the media or heard from friends. For example, we might have a perspective from the news about refugees but never met one in real life.
We can expose ourselves (and others) to counter-stereotypical information by replacing our general impressions with first-hand experiences and understanding – for instance, instead of just relying on others’ accounts of refugees, we can try to meet them in person, or read more detailed accounts about their experiences.
Keep in Mind
Questions you have for people unfamiliar to you might betray your stereotypes about them, which might feel offensive to the other person. It’s important to state your intentions up front for asking those questions and remind them it’s acceptable to choose not to respond. You may even provoke irritation; try to take it in stride. Even if that conversation is difficult, you’ll be better equipped to have another one.