An Examination of Stereotypes of Chinese and Europeans Held by Some New Zealand Secondary School Pupils

Abstract

Attitudes of the dominant European community toward Chinese in New Zealand have undergone major changes during this century, from denigration as undesirable immigrants to acceptance as a successful minority. The present study identifies and compares the salient dimensions of the current stereotype of Chinese and Europeans. Responses of 318 Chinese and European secondary school pupils showed that the stereotypes held by the two groups were very similar. Both placed Chinese in a positive position on a work ethic dimension characterized by expressions such as hard working and successful and in a relatively neutral position on an individual versus social control dimension. By contrast, Europeans were seen by both groups as somewhat less positive on the work ethic dimension and rather more individually than socially controlled.