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When I graduated high school, I was voted “most likely to attain a PhD.” All my friends thought it was amazing to be recognized since it was very plausible. I was at the top of my class. I was thinking about pursuing one too; however, I felt conflicted.
Why didn’t I want to be known as the smart one in the class?
Why didn’t I want people to think I have the ambition to pursue such an accomplishment?
It was at that moment that I questioned whether it was because I was one of few Asians in my class or because I was a straight-A student.
As an Asian female, I fit many stereotypes. I am introverted and quiet. I have a strong work ethic. I did well in school and didn’t like being in the spotlight. But there are many stereotypes I don’t fit. I speak English fluently without an accent. I’m not submissive. I can lead and I’m definitely not a bad driver.
I knew what negative stereotypes were and how they made me feel. But these seemingly positive ones made me feel just as horrible. Whether they were true or not, the assumptions that were made about my character based on the color of my skin created challenges in my mental health and contributed to my ongoingidentity crisis.
Being Depersonalized and Feeling Undifferentiated
I knew what negative stereotypes were and how they made me feel. But these seemingly positive ones made me feel just as horrible.
A 2015 review showed that when a positive stereotype is mentioned within a group interaction, Asian Americans experience a negative response.
Specifically, they feel others perceive them as undifferentiated from those of a similar ethnic group and being depersonalized for who they are as unique individuals. Those who had a stronger sense of individuality felt a more negative response than those who felt they were similar and connected to their ethnic group.
Being grouped with all the other Asians meant I didn’t have a chance to stand out. I might as well accept my fate and blend into the sea of soy sauce.
It’s like all those times when I travel to a rural city and the first question I get when I make small talk with some strangers is, “Are you related to the Nguyens who own the Vietnamese restaurant down the street? They are such good and hard-working people. I love their food. It’s delicious.”
On the inside, I want to scream, “I’m Chinese, not Vietnamese. I don’t know the Nguyens. I’m sure they’re great people. I’m here on a trip with some friends for a few days and I’m out.”
I’ll politely shake my head and under my breath with a slight chuckle, I’ll utter the words, “No, I’m not related to them.”
Harmful Psychological Effects of Racial Stereotyping
Do Positive Stereotypes Lead to Other Stereotypes?
If you’re stereotyping me for something good, I’m thinking you’re most likely going to stereotype me for something bad.
Stereotypes about the intelligence and relative intelligence of various races has a negative history, so saying something “good” doesn’t really erase that.
One of my first real jobs was as a research assistant. One day, a manager pops his head in and asks me directly, “Hey, can you help me with an Excel thing?”
I jumped to my feet and immediately rushed over. I wanted to prove myself, give a good impression, and was eager to help.
I entered his office and looked at the screen. It was a relatively easy issue to fix. I did my thing and he thanked me. I felt proud of myself as I walked back to my office. I sat down in my chair and I looked around. I shared the space with three other research assistants, all non-Asian but with very similar educational backgrounds.
Excel is something I am proficient in and had in my CV. But I couldn’t help but wonder if he asked me for help because I was good at numbers or because I was Asian?
Then I started pondering whether I was also being negatively stereotyped.
Does he also think I’m a worker bee?Does he also think I won’t speak up during meetings?Does he also think I can’t lead and will only follow instructions like a robot?Will I be at the bottom of the list for promotions and management positions?
Does he also think I’m a worker bee?
Does he also think I won’t speak up during meetings?
Does he also think I can’t lead and will only follow instructions like a robot?
Will I be at the bottom of the list for promotions and management positions?
At barely 20 years of age, I was already worried about how my career was going to be affected because of how others perceived me due to my ethnicity. Constantly questioning why I was being recognized affected my confidence and self-esteem.
What If I Don’t Live Up to Those Standards?
You’re supposed to be smart and successful, right?
It showed that those who were exposed to these conditions had trouble concentrating and ended up with poorer results. It concluded that when positive stereotypes are clearly stated, it can negatively affect an individual’s performance as it can cause them to “choke under pressure”.
In a world where you are expected to be a successful, highly motivated, hard-working, and intelligent overachiever because that’s what society says you are, it creates a significant amount of pressure to do everything perfectly.
What happens when an individual can’t live up to these standards?
In my life, I’ve had threeanxiety attacks. I was in the 10th grade when I experienced my first. I was in math class and I couldn’t solve the first question on a pop quiz. As the other students handed in their work, I was frozen with my hands tightly gripping my number two pencil for dear life. I couldn’t put anything on paper because I didn’t know what to write. Anything that came into my mind felt like the wrong answer.
The quiz was supposed to take the first 10 minutes of class but because I was the top student, my teacher let me keep working on the test while the class continued.
When the bell rang, my teacher came to my desk and she literally had to rip the blank paper from my hands. Thefear of failurecompletely took control of my body physically, emotionally, and mentally. My heart was pounding faster and faster. My breaths were shallow and I felt like I was falling into a tunnel of doom as defeating thoughts tore away at my self-worth.
Mental Illness Doesn’t Discriminate, and Neither Should We
Shedding Deeply Ingrained Beliefs
The first step to avoiding stereotypes is to learn more about them so that you understand the issue and become more aware of the positive and negative assumptions you make about groups of people. Then it’s about asking difficult questions that challenge your beliefs such as:
Lastly, meeting new people from different cultures, and approaching them from a place of respect and consideration allows you to understand their personal experiences, unique characteristics, and stories that shape them as an individual.
Yes, “Positive Stereotypes” Are Still Harmful
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Czopp AM, Kay AC, Cheryan S.Positive stereotypes are pervasive and powerful.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015;10(4):451-463. doi:10.1177/1745691615588091Siy JO, Cheryan S.Prejudice masquerading as praise: the negative echo of positive stereotypes.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2016;42(7):941-954. doi:10.1177/0146167216649605Cheryan S, Bodenhausen GV.When positive stereotypes threaten intellectual performance: the psychological hazards of “model minority” status.Psychol Sci. 2000;11(5):399-402. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00277
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Czopp AM, Kay AC, Cheryan S.Positive stereotypes are pervasive and powerful.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015;10(4):451-463. doi:10.1177/1745691615588091Siy JO, Cheryan S.Prejudice masquerading as praise: the negative echo of positive stereotypes.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2016;42(7):941-954. doi:10.1177/0146167216649605Cheryan S, Bodenhausen GV.When positive stereotypes threaten intellectual performance: the psychological hazards of “model minority” status.Psychol Sci. 2000;11(5):399-402. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00277
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Czopp AM, Kay AC, Cheryan S.Positive stereotypes are pervasive and powerful.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015;10(4):451-463. doi:10.1177/1745691615588091Siy JO, Cheryan S.Prejudice masquerading as praise: the negative echo of positive stereotypes.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2016;42(7):941-954. doi:10.1177/0146167216649605Cheryan S, Bodenhausen GV.When positive stereotypes threaten intellectual performance: the psychological hazards of “model minority” status.Psychol Sci. 2000;11(5):399-402. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00277
Czopp AM, Kay AC, Cheryan S.Positive stereotypes are pervasive and powerful.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2015;10(4):451-463. doi:10.1177/1745691615588091
Siy JO, Cheryan S.Prejudice masquerading as praise: the negative echo of positive stereotypes.Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2016;42(7):941-954. doi:10.1177/0146167216649605
Cheryan S, Bodenhausen GV.When positive stereotypes threaten intellectual performance: the psychological hazards of “model minority” status.Psychol Sci. 2000;11(5):399-402. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00277
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