Abstract
Ethnic stereotypes are cognitive markers that are formed and modified because of intercultural contact with a new cultural group. There is now much empirical evidence that explicates how stereotypes of ethnic groups can impact individuals’ acculturation experiences. However, what is unknown is how previously nonexistent ethnic beliefs are formed as a result of contact with the local culture. One hundred and seventy-four (N = 174) overseas Chinese construction workers were contacted through the Chinese Consulate in Montenegro and agreed to participate in the present study. The online questionnaire asked workers to describe Montenegrin majority members in terms of five characteristics. These traits formed the stereotype markers that were classified as positive, neutral, or negative. Sojourners also answered questions that measured perceived cultural distance, social exclusion, knowledge of Montenegrin culture, feelings of social exclusion, and their sociocultural adaptation. Results show that both positive and negative stereotypes are correlated with less social exclusion and better socio-cultural adaptation. Perceived cultural distance, knowledge of host culture and length of stay was mediated by stereotypes on adaptation outcomes. Interestingly longer sojourn did not lessen the type of stereotype, nor did it reduce cultural distance. Contribution to the stereotype literature and practical understanding of how Chinese sojourners see majority members will be discussed.
Highlights
In the uncertain global economic climates, many would welcome the opportunity of a new job offer
Stereotypes were associated with sociocultural adaptation and social exclusion
The mediation model confirmed that stereotypes mediated the relationship between knowledge of host culture, perceived cultural distance, length of stay, and adaptation outcomes
Summary
In the uncertain global economic climates, many would welcome the opportunity of a new job offer. As a short-stay immigrant in the country (sojourner) you will have to find ways of coping with challenges such as experiencing periods of homesickness or communicating effectively with locals; the job entails that you will have to make choices on how to acculturate and adapt in some ways to local realities [1]. This is not an uncommon proposition in our age of global mobility, but some cognitive and affective dynamics, especially aspects related to prior knowledge or pre-departure perceptions, are understudied [2]. This paper offers some key answers as to how sojourners come to “know” their local communities and how that knowledge might impact their adaptation process
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