Understanding the relationship between Germans’ perceived stereotypes and social identity : implications for counselling

Abstract

Background information: Stereotypes, as well as social identities, are formed through individuals’ environment and perceived differently by each individual. Thus, stereotypes and Social Identity (SI) interplay, depending on a person’s consciousness of being stereotyped, namely Stigma Consciousness (SC). Furthermore, Germans’ SC and SI is shaped by Germany’s unique socio-political history and current situation. Method: An online questionnaire was distributed via social media and other gatekeepers in order to explore the relationship between Germans’ SC, SI, SI subscales (ingroup ties, centrality and ingroup affect) and demographic/psychographic variables. Data of 579 respondents were analysed utilising descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between Germans’ SC and SI, and between SC and centrality. A significant negative correlation was found between Germans’ SC and ingroup affect. An analysis of demographic/psychographic data suggests that males experience higher ingroup affect and Germans living abroad experienced stronger SI, higher centrality and higher ingroup affect. Furthermore, Germans with higher levels of education display weaker SI and Germans with a right-wing political orientation experience a stronger SI. Conclusions: The significant correlation between Germans’ SC and SI leads to the conclusion that Germans with high perceptions of stereotypes experience a stronger sense of SI. This highlights the importance that counsellors need to be aware of their own, as well as their clients’ stereotypes, SC and SI. Due to the demonstrated importance of the SC – SI relationship, recommendations include awareness training for counsellors and educators, and the application of counselling interventions which explore clients’ SC and SI.