Dimensionality and national function in australian and japanese ethnic stereotypes

Abstract

This study provides an update on ethnic stereotypes in Australia and Japan. It measured the differences between the auto- and heterostereotypes held by Anglo-Australians and Japanese for themselves and each other, respectively, particularly as they related to perceived status and solidarity. It compared these with heterostereotypes held by these two national groups for one other Asian (Taiwanese) and one other non-Asian (Canadian) group. Forty female and 40 male Australian students, and 40 female and 40 male Japanese students completed a questionnaire consisting of 14 semantic differential scales. Factor analyses revealed two underlying dimensions: status and solidarity. Results of multivariate analysis of variance and bivariate correlations among the dependent variables indicated that Australians seemed to hold individual national hetereostereotypes for the Japanese and Taiwanese in terms of status, but more broadly focused stereotypes in terms of solidarity. The degree of consensus, however, was not overly high. The Japanese, on the other hand, appeared to hold broadly focused white-Western hetereostereotypes for the non-Asian groups on both dimensions, seeing them as very similar. In this instance, a much higher level of consensus was achieved. Autostereotypes for both groups were in accord with earlier studies, but, again, less consensus was found for Japanese ratings of themselves. The Japanese, however, never rated themselves significantly lower than the Taiwanese. This differed markedly from the way Australians compared themselves to Canadians, never rating themselves significantly higher than the outgroup.