The role of language in creating stereotypes

Аннотация

In this article, we explore the origin of "stereotype" and its definitions, categorizing them into different categories. The purpose of the article to study the types of stereotypes, the ways of their occurrence and give a holistic analysis of the role of language in the creating of stereotypes. Discussed the main trends and sources of stereotypes and the influence of language on their formation. Language is a crucial means of communication in everyday life, and studying how people use language helps us understand society and ourselves. Key words: stereotype, language, culture, society, psychology, research, discrimination; communication. Stereotyping and discrimination provide urgent concerns for society. Despite attempts to address them, prejudice and discrimination persist, sometimes in subtle ways. Our everyday language contains many explicit and implicit expressions about social categories, such as minority, age, gender groups and culture. Language contributes to the formation and reinforcement of stereotypes and feeds, often unconsciously, stereotyping and discrimination. A stereotype is a mental assessment of something that has been previously formed by a person, which can be reflected in stereotypical behavior. A stereotype can be both negative and positive, so it is necessary to distinguish between a stereotype and prejudice, which can only be negative. There are many definitions of a stereotype. The most general description of a stereotype is the following: «A stereotype is a schematic, standardized image or idea of a social phenomenon or object, usually emotionally colored and stable. Expresses the habitual attitude of a person to any phenomenon that has developed under the influence of social conditions and previous experience». The concept of «social stereotype» was first introduced into circulation by the famous American journalist Walter Lippmann in 1922 in the book «Public Opinion», where he defines a stereotype as a simplified, pre- accepted idea that does not follow from a person's own experience. Stereotypes, once considered intrapersonal phenomena, are now recognized as a collective of individuals within a group. They are a normal cognitive mechanism 117 “Media. Til va madaniyat. Tarjima” talabalar ilmiy-amaliy konferensiyasi - 2023 present in all societies and cultures, formed under environmental influence. Stereotypes help us process information and shorten thinking paths, and are deeply rooted in our perceptions when heard from trusted individuals. Researchers now consider both negative and positive features of stereotypes, recognizing their important functions at both group and individual levels. These include: • The identification of groups, • The formation and maintenance of their ideologies, • The simplification of thinking. Scientists have identified various types of stereotypes based on different criteria for classification. Stereotypes are divided into collective and individual categories based on the subject of stereotyping and the carrier of the stereotype. Collective stereotypes are defined as patterns of ideas and beliefs accepted by all members of a given culture, while individual stereotypes function at the individual- personal level. The division of stereotypes into collective and individual categories is important both theoretically and methodologically. Nowadays, stereotypes exist for practically every social group. The following stereotypes are the most common: gender, ethnic/national, age, religious, class or social status, stereotypes about appearance. Communication is a crucial factor in the formation and maintenance of stereotypes about categories within cultures, subcultures, and groups. These stereotypes are propagated and maintained through media and interpersonal communication. Although stereotypes can be derived from sources other than linguistic communication, communication is a stronger factor. Communication serves as both a carrier and accelerator in this process. In 2020, Dutch professors Christian Burgers and Camiel J. Beukeboom published a study in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology, proposing the Social Categories and Stereotypes Communication (SCSC) framework, based on an integrative review of literature on stereotyping and biased language use. The Social Categories and Stereotypes Communication (SCSC) framework 118 “Media. Til va madaniyat. Tarjima” talabalar ilmiy-amaliy konferensiyasi - 2023 explains how language use contributes to the sharing and maintenance of social- category stereotypes. It distinguishes two biases in language use: perceived category entitativity, stereotype content, and perceived essentialism of associated stereotypic characteristics. These biases create a self-perpetuating cycle, allowing a better understanding of stereotype-maintaining biases in natural language. Numerous studies focus on gender stereotypes, examining how language influences people's thinking and prejudices about a particular gender. Cognitive psy