ABSTRACT

This study examined how Nigerians in the U.S. negotiate their identities considering the stereotypes ascribed to them during interactions and strategies for attenuating stereotypes. Interviews with 20 Nigerians revealed that Nigerians were stereotyped positively (i.e., as hardworking, and passionate for education) and negatively (i.e., as fraudsters, kidnappers, and underdeveloped). Also, Nigerians attenuated stereotypes ascribed not only to Nigerians but to Blacks through nationalism, self-awareness, and hard work. Findings challenge beliefs that stereotyping occurs due to the lack of contact with outgroup members. Indeed, stereotyping occurs because of some form of history rather than an absence of history with outgroup members.

摘要

本研究考察了在美国的尼日利亚人如何在互动过程中考虑到他们的刻板印象以及减轻刻板印象的策略来协商他们的身份。对 20 名尼日利亚人的访谈显示，尼日利亚人被刻板印象为积极（即勤奋、热衷于教育）和消极（即欺诈者、绑架者和不发达）。此外，尼日利亚人通过民族主义、自我意识和努力工作，削弱了不仅对尼日利亚人而且对黑人的刻板印象。调查结果挑战了刻板印象是由于缺乏与外群体成员的联系而发生的信念。事实上，刻板印象的发生是因为某种形式的历史，而不是没有外群体成员的历史。