How stereotypes affect us an introduction to stereotype threat

Facing History and Ourselves is a non-profit organization in the United States, founded in 1976. The group develops educational material on prejudices and injustice in American and European society. The organization is based in Brookline, Massachusetts with 180 staff members in the

main office and in other U.S. states. You will hear (video 10 – 07.52 min.) Jonathan Lykes – a former Facing History student, Claude Mason Steele – Dean of the Stanford School of Education, an African-American social psychologist, and Sonja Sohn – a former Facing History student, an actress, and activist speaking on stereotype threat.

Task 1

Listen to Jonathan Lykes, Clause Mason Steele, and Sonja Sohn (video 10 – 07.52 min.). What answer do they give to the question: Do stereotypes have individual impacts or social impacts?

Task 2

Watch the segment again. Take notes to answer questions 1-8. Working in pairs, discuss the answers. Then discuss the answers with the class.

1. What impact did the first Facing History course have on Jonathan Lykes?

2. What hadn’t he been able to understand before he took it?

3. Did Jonathan Lykes come to any conclusions?

4. Why do people often experience stereotype threat according to Clause Mason Steele?

5. What example does Jonathan Lykes provide to illustrate Clause Mason Steele’s position? Were people’s assumptions reasonable?

6. How did Sonja Sohn’s unpleasant school experiences affect her adult life?

7. What experiment did Clause Mason Steele and his colleagues do? What did the experiment prove?

8. What is the link between history and stereotypes?

READING 2 (B1-В1+)

Pre-reading task

Work in groups. Look at national emblems A-H. What are the names of the countries? Have you ever been there? What do you know about customs and business protocol in those countries?

A C D

E F G H

I J K L

When in rome, do as the romans do в чужой монастырь со своим уставом

man bringt nicht die eigene Regel in ein fremdes Kloster

En cada tierra su uso y en cada casa su costumbre

入乡随乡; 入国从俗 paese che vai, usanze che trovi

's lands wijs,’s lands eer chez moi c'est moi qui fais la loi

Reading

Task 1

Work in pairs. Read the letters to ‘Travel Advice Forum’, which ask for advice, and then look at texts 1-46 on Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are to see if you can find information to answer them. Do not spend more than three minutes on this exercise.

Letters to Travel Advice Forum:

Letter 1

I’m the overseas representative for a firm which manufactures kitchen appliances. I’m going to Mexico to see if I can introduce my company’s products into these markets. Do you have any advice for businessmen and women visiting Mexico?

(from the ‘Trips and Travelers, October, 2015)

Letter 2

My husband’s firm has suggested that I accompany him on a tour of India next autumn. I’m told that wives are not usually invited to take part in many social activities which a business trip like this involves. Is this true? I don’t want to spend my time sitting in a hotel room. Moreover, if I do go, what advice do you have about protocol for both my husband and me?

(from the ‘Trips and Travelers’, October, 2015)

Letter 3

I’m going on a business trip to North Korea in January. My company is opening a new branch. My wife is going too as she would like to meet my business partners’ wives during pleasure meetings. Do you think I should take her along?

(from the ‘Trips and Travelers’, October, 2015)

Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are helps you navigate the cultural differences that can easily lead to needless misunderstandings and sometimes-costly outcomes. Behavioral differences may seem rude to some and perfectly acceptable to others.

Australian guests to a barbeque typically bring wine or beer for their personal consumption. Very informal barbeques may suggest that you bring your own meat.
In Argentina, do not give knives or scissors as they indicate a desire to sever the relationship.
Never give white flowers to an Indian hostess as they are used at funerals.
When greeting in social situations in Mexico, women pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
If invited to a Norwegian’s home, bring flowers, chocolates, pastries, wine, or imported spirits to the hostess. Do not give carnations, lilies or white flowers as they are used at funerals. Never give wreaths, even at Christmas.
Despite a high standard of living, ostentation is frowned upon, so while doing business in Denmark try to dress in a polished yet unassuming way.
In Mexico, deadlines are seen as flexible and fluid.
Hindus shouldn’t be given gifts made of leather.
In meetings that involve negotiations, Russians will often withdraw from the meetings, allowing the senior person to make the decision alone.
In Russia, disagreement with a senior person is rarely expressed in public.
In Australia, arrive on time if invited to dinner. No more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque or a large party.
In India saying ‘no’ to the first invitation is part of the protocol. You will be asked repeatedly.
In India Sikhs do not eat beef. Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol.
Since Mexicans are status conscious, you should always have someone on your team who is an executive.
Unlike China, where people openly clear their noses onto the street, blowing your nose in public is frowned upon in Japan.
In India, wives are usually invited to parties. Finishing all your food means that you are still hungry.
In Mexico, do not give marigolds as they symbolize death. Do not give red flowers as they have a negative connotation.
Russian managers are comfortable criticizing openly and making impulsive decisions.
In Switzerland, red roses are OK as long as they do not number 3. Take 1 or 20.
Argentines do not like publicly admitting they are incorrect.
Public drinking and smoking is offensive in India.
A business card with English on one side and Arabic on the reverse is a must in Egypt.
In Norway, toasts to guests are made with alcoholic beverages, but not beer. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
Bowing is extremely important in Japan, however, your hosts realize that Westerners are unaccustomed to bowing and may offer you a handshake instead.
If you are invited to a Mexican home, remember that arriving on time is considered inappropriate.
Egyptians are tough negotiators; they do not like confrontation and saying ‘no’. If they do not respond, it usually a negative sign.
Japanese business cards are treated with utmost respect. If conducting business, carry your cards in a nice case so that you do not hand your counterpart a frayed and butt-warmed card out of your wallet.
North Korean businessmen expect their wives to be invited by foreigners to attend business or pleasure meetings in the evening. They also expect their wives to decline the invitation.
When in Egypt, expect to be offered coffee or tea whenever you meet someone, as this demonstrates hospitality. Declining the offer is viewed as rejecting the person.
When receiving a business card, thank the Japanese and offer a quick bow. Take the card with both hands and hold it by the top two corners, examine it closely with respect. Never cover the person’s name on the card with your fingers.
In Mexico never put your hands into pockets, as this is considered rude.
In general, Indians do not trust the legal system and someone’s word is sufficient to reach an agreement.
When entering a home, remove your shoes in a Japan.
Finish everything on your plate. Danes do not like wasting food.
Egyptians judge people on appearances. Be prepared for long intensive stares as Egyptians believe direct eye contact is a sign of honesty and sincerity.
Never wink or whistle in India.
In Norway, business meetings are rather informal. Punctuality is imperative since it indicates trustworthiness.
When doing business in Spain remember that agreements must first be reached orally and then in writing.
Never put your hands into your pockets in Japan. Doing so shows boredom or lack of interest.
Doing business in Mexico men should wear conservative, dark colored suits. Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.
Do not wear your host’s slippers into the toilet. Even the slippers are removed when walking or sitting on the tatami mats.
Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual in Norway.
In Mexico, keep your hands visible when eating. Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
In Japan, never give gifts or anything else in sets of four or nine.
In Argentina have all business material available in both English and Spanish.
Business is conservative in Melbourne and Sydney.

Task 2

Work in groups. Look at the pictures. Match the pictures to the customs described in the passage. There is one picture you don’t need.

Task 3

Work in groups. Read the passage again. With other students, discuss what evidence, if any, there is for statements. If there is no evidence or a statement is false, explain what the passage really says.

1. In the Arab world, it is customary to drink coffee.

2. In Japan, they do business without their socks on.

3. When people are bored, they put hands into their pockets in Japan.

4. In Japan, it is important to know how to deal with business cards.

5. In Norway, they do not have Christmas celebrations.

6. Punctuality is typical of Australians.

7. In China, it is customary to clear noses onto the street.

8. Whiskey is a spirit to toast a guest with in Norway.

9. There are no business cards rituals in Norway.

10. In Australia, the hostess does not have to worry if there are any spirits in the house.

11. Collective decision is not typical of Russians. In some countries, white flowers are unacceptable.

12. In North Korea, businessmen’s wives always attend business and pleasure meetings.

13. Danes are economical.

14. Showing off is unacceptable in Denmark.

15. Argentinians never admit their mistakes.

16. People use neither knives nor scissors in Argentina.

17. Egyptians stare at people.

18. Silence doesn’t mean consent in Egypt.

19. Business cards are bilingual in Egypt.

20. The legal system is ineffective in India.

21. In India, some people do not eat pork.

22. In India, those who smoke in a cinema might be fined.

23. Do not expect work done on time in Mexico.

24. Mexicans respect people’s high positions.

25. Mexicans like to see other people’s hands.

26. In Switzerland, number 3 is an unlucky number.

27. In India, they always know when their guests are hungry.

28. In India, you should be very careful about the choice of flowers.

29. Russians don’t argue with senior people.

Task 4

Work in pairs. Answer questions a-c.

1. What countries are mentioned in the passage?

2. What are the capitals of those countries?

3. What do we call people living in those countries?

4. What do we call a man or a woman that come from those countries?

Task 5

Look through the texts again and tick (√) if the custom (or rule) is mentioned. Sometimes more than one (√) is possible. About which country/ies do you get to know most/least of all? Working with a partner, compare the answers. If necessary, refer to the texts again. Then discuss the answers with the class.

	Business customs	Social customs	Gifts	Clothes and appearance	Drinking and eating
Egypt		√ (29) (35)
Japan
Mexico
India
Russia
Spain
Australia
China
Denmark
Switzerland
North Korea
Norway
Argentina

REACTION TO THE TEXT

Working in groups, discuss the questions that follow.

1. Have you ever been to any of the countries mentioned in the texts? Do they mention customs in your country? If so, do you agree or disagree with the advice given? If not, tell the other students what you should do in social or business situations in your country. If they are from the same country, do they agree with you?

2. Does the information in the table reveal any similarities between the countries?

3. What other social customs and examples of business manners did you notice in the foreign countries you have visited? Tell the others about them. Use at least ten words and expressions from the passage.

4. Have you ever had or heard about any embarrassing experiences?

ROUND TABLE TALK AND DISCUSSION

The concept of cultural adaptation is hardly new. Is it always the best approach? In the increasingly globalized world, the need for cross-cultural understanding and adaptation has never been more crucial to success in life, both personally and professionally—yet how can people possibly adapt to all the cultures surrounding them.