HOW OTHERS SEE US

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 295, S. 1-11

Abstract

The lead article directing attention to the images of US held by foreign nationals. 'Any discussion of this problem leads eventually to the use of the phrase 'stereotype of Americans'.' The stereotype concept is examined in its development in modern times. US researchers have leaned in the direction of considering stereotypes as both false & dangerous. But a leap to the conclusion that all images of Americans held abroad are foolish, fanciful, & unjustified by our own behavior might do us a real disservice. Stereotypes of another people have 2 components: (1) Preconception - based on second-hand material lying about in the literature & folk culture, & would exist regardless of whether two nationals ever saw each other; & (2) Perception - 'introduced as the individual tries to organize the incomprehensible, unpredictable behavior of foreigners ...into a comprehensive, predictable whole.' The image of America revealed in the 1948 UNESCO study is generally favorable. Most Europeans saw Americans as `practical' & `progressive'. Australians & British saw Americans as 'conceited', & the French viewed us as `domineering'. Russians were generally considered 'domineering', `cruel', 'hard-working' & `backward'. Netherlands Institute of PO study in 1954, repeated in UNESCO's study of 1948, showed the Dutch image of America has changed very little in the intervening 5 yrs, & Americans are somewhat less likely to be regarded as `generous' but more likely to be considered 'progressive'. Recent surveys by other Gallup affiliates show the stereotype of Americans in France & Italy to be about the same as in 1948, with France believing us more peace-loving now. The Italian image of US is more favorable than the public estimate of US diplomacy. Generally, the images of the US in Europe, at least, while not improving substantially since the end of WWII, have not deteriorated a great deal. We can change unfavorable stereotypes of the US by: (1) remembering that stereotypes of US will continue to exist because they are foreign, & hence unpredictable; (2) bending our actions toward altering unfavorable stereotypes through changes in our own behavior; (3) spending more effort in research on determining foreign images of the US, how widespread they are, what effect they have on international affairs. (4) Increasing personal contact between nationals to make stereotypes not necessarily more favorable but realistic. (5) Trying to keep channels of second-hand communication open for millions here & abroad who cannot participate in personal interaction; & (6) conducting US foreign policy in a straightforward, consistent & predictable manner. (See SA 2685, 2734, 2735, 2737, 2738, 2739, 2740, 2742, 2744, 2745, 2746, 2748) P. Widem.