Stereotyping and biased language in online environments: Misconceptions, decontextualization, and identity projections

Abstract

Stereotypes are overgeneralized assumptions about different groups of people based on their nationality, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, or other social categories. This study examines the role of context in stereotypes found on online media. In particular, the study focuses on stereotypes of the Lebanese and Saudi people by examining the reactions of YouTube users to 30 YouTube videos. Ten of these videos present Lebanese and Saudi individuals positively, 10 neutrally, and 10 negatively. The data was collected from YouTube users’ comments on these 30 videos and analyzed mainly by identifying common themes and patterns. The findings showed that stereotypes were virtually absent in the YouTube users’ comments on the positive and neutral videos. However, they were prevalent on the negative videos. Most of the stereotypes found in the data were factually inaccurate, reductionistic, or decontextualized in nature. Only a few seemed to be based on real-life experiences or actual encounters with Lebanese or Saudi people. Overall, the findings suggest that, although some may be based on real-life experiences, stereotypes are often emotionally triggered and represent an overreaction to context-specific narratives, events, or actions. The findings will be discussed in terms of identity dynamics in the Arab World.