Brief reports

Experiences of stereotyping among individuals employed in selected South African organisations

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 24 , issue 6 , 2014 , pages: 513–519

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2014.997042

Author(s): Lizelle Brink Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, South Africa , Jan Alewyn Nel Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, South Africa

Keywords: stereotypes , cognitive effects , behavioural effects , emotional effects , selected South African organisations

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of stereotypes among individuals working in selected South African organisations. The participants were 336 employees within the following sectors: banking (n = 40), higher education institutions (n = 72), mining (n = 63), municipalities (n = 24), nursing (n = 4), police services (n = 20), schools (n = 85), and the restaurant industry (n = 28). Data were collected using open ended interviews, and thematically analysed. The findings indicated that stereotypes influence individuals on three different levels: cognitive, behavioural, and emotional levels. Predominantly, participants reported that they mostly react in a cognitive manner when confronted with stereotypes.

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