Challenging stereotypes

In new research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Oliver Sng, UC Irvine assistant professor of psychological science, presents findings that could transform how we understand the origins of stereotypes and social bias. 

Sng’s research introduces a novel concept — ecology stereotypes — and reveals how people's perceptions of others are deeply influenced by the environments they believe others live in. These stereotypes may override traditional biases related to race and family structure.

In Sng’s paper, titled “Ecology stereotypes exist across societies and override race and family structure stereotypes,” he argues that stereotypes about race and family types (such as single-mother households) may stem from assumptions about the environments these groups live in. By highlighting the environmental context in which different races and family structures are believed to exist, Sng shows how ecology stereotypes can sometimes supersede biases related to ethnicity and family types.

“We found that when people are provided with information about the environments in which different races or family structures live, they may change or even eliminate their stereotypical beliefs about these groups,” Sng says. “This suggests that these stereotypes may be more connected to perceptions of the environment than we previously thought.”

Sng’s research involved surveying people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including the United States, India, Japan, Romania and the United Kingdom. Across all these societies, Sng and his team discovered that people consistently held ecology stereotypes, regardless of race, age or educational background.

“I was struck by how consistent these stereotypes were across cultures,” Sng reflects. “In psychology, we often find significant differences in how people think and behave across societies. But with ecology stereotypes, the patterns were remarkably uniform.”

The concept of ecology stereotypes arises from growing research suggesting that harsh environmental conditions — such as high crime rates, poverty, or other stressors — can influence people's psychological development and behavior. According to Sng, environmental factors might also shape societal perceptions of individuals who live in such conditions.

Sng’s findings challenge traditional notions of stereotypes, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced understanding of how environmental factors shape perceptions of others. He also suggests that one potential strategy for combating harmful stereotypes is to question assumptions about how certain groups live in particular environments.

“Why do we think people of a certain race or family type live in a harsh ecology? Have we seen it firsthand, or is it based on assumptions? If our group stereotypes are based on assumptions about the ecologies that a certain group lives in, challenging those assumptions can open a way to changing these group stereotypes,” Sng says.

His research holds significant implications for understanding and addressing stereotypes related to race, family structures, and other social categories. He hopes his work will inspire future research and public discourse on the role that environmental factors play in shaping social bias.

“This research is not just about race or family structure; it could apply to any group — immigrants, religious groups, or others — who are stereotyped because people assume they live in harsh conditions,” Sng says.

Sng’s work represents a pioneering step in the study of how ecological context shapes human psychology and social perception. His findings open up new avenues for future research and practical interventions aimed at reducing harmful stereotypes and promoting a more empathetic understanding of others.