Ethnic Stereotypes

Ethnic stereotypes are considered to be important in social identity development and in providing solidarity for prejudice and discrimination. The objective of this study was to identify the Ethnic Stereotypes held by the students of Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya. A sample of seven participants was drawn using the purposive sampling technique that represented the four main ethnic groups of Sri Lanka – Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers. Data was gathered using the case study method while allowing the participants to describe each of the ethnic group according to their knowledge and experiences. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in order to be analyzed through thematic analysis. During the analysis two important types of ethnic stereotypes were identified as the Complementary and Derogatory ethnic stereotypes. These two types were discussed using Henry Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory, Psychoanalytic Theory of Stereotyping, Scapegoating Theory and the concept of Stereotype Threat and Stereotype Boost which enabled to inquire into the formation and content of the ethnic stereotypes held by participants.