SOCIOLOGY REVIEW

App.26/Nov.2007

In a recent epistemological study, conducted by the sociology department

of the University of Zanzibar under the auspices of UNESCO, it was found,
amongst other things, that common stereotypical views concerning various
nationalities are indeed widely and universally spread, thus leading to popular
misconceptions that amazingly stretch throughout the world.
The findings were published in the “Journal of Sociological Sciences”
(May `07) and led various eminent scholars, such as Dr. Prokopis
Skordopipoglou (U.of M.) to remark that the whole notion of ethnic
stereotypes “must now be reconsidered and reexamined under a new light”.
(1).
What were these findings and how do they influence commonly accepted
behaviour? Here are some of the results concerning major ethnic
misconceptions that are shared in all continents. (Be reminded that the study
lasted over 8 months and more than 7.000 people were interviewed across the
globe) (2)

<COMMONLY & UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED ETHNIC

STEREOTYPES> (3)

1.Americans: Described as having no culture, semiliterate, bullies, ignorant,

affluent, criminally prone.
2.Britons: Stingy, stubborn, humorous, cryptohomosexual, unwashed.
3.French: Flamboyant, stylish, politically unstable, racist, unwashed
4.Germans: Methodical, industrious, cold, drunkards, barbarous, well
educated, very disciplined.
5.Italians: Loud, exaggerating, fashionable, amorous, cowardly in war time.
6.Spaniards: Big talkers, politically immature, impoverished, basking in past
affluence
7.Turks: Dastardly, barbarous, obese, racist, inefficient in combat situations,
prone to bestiality, deeply religious, good food.
8.Brazilians: Happy, poor, criminally prone, football oriented
9.Japanese: Conservative, fastidious, workaholics, technologically oriented,
rich, short.
10.Greeks: Loud, politically immature, sex crazed, liars, deifiers of leisure,
gallant, brave, no organizational skills whatever.
11.Canadians: Described as Americans (!), snow covered, rich, alcoholics,
peace lovers, irrelevant.
12. Chinese: They eat anything, poor, conservative, disciplined, politically
primitive.

Footnotes.
1.Sociology Today, p.29.11/10/2007
2.University of Zanzibar expose (June`07)
3.As appeared in the appendix of The Journal Of Sociological Affairs, p.71, Dec.`07