Chinese Professional Women’’s Stereotypes On American Counterparts In Intercultural Communication

Stereotype, as a cognitive method to know the world, raised the concern of researchers in the early 20 th century and has been an important issue in the study of psychology and social cognition. Having briefly reviewed the previous studies on stereotypes, the present research paper discusses social perception and stereotype from the perspective of intercultural communication.This study probes into Chinese professional women’s stereotypes on American professional women, examines the information resources and main factors that influence the dynamic development of stereotype. In order to answer the three research questions, the study employs quantitative approach to describe the data of questionnaires and qualitative method to analyze the interviews. The major findings are presented as follows. First, Chinese professional women have positive stereotypes and evaluations on their American counterparts and they are likely to learn from Americans. Second, media is the commonest channel through which people obtain information related to American professional women, but it is not the most reliable one. Third, stereotype is dynamic and differences in stereotype are influenced by some individual and social factors. Direct contact and age are the two factors resulting in great individual differences in stereotype. Fourth, Intergroup communication can waken and correct stereotypes so as to promote effective intercultural communication.In a nutshell, stereotype reflects cultural differences between China and America. Against the background of globalization, the two parts should learn from each other and expand more cooperation. The findings of the research are conducive to making people have a better knowledge of stereotype and enhance Chinese people’s understanding of American professional women, which can help improve their intercultural communication competence to some extent.