140k views
5 votes
Jorgen, a Swedish exchange student in the United States, frequently spent his leisure time hiking and camping. This caused his host to assume that all Swedes enjoy outdoor activities. This is an example of ________________________.

User Keybored
by
8.0k points

1 Answer

0 votes

Final answer:

The host's assumption that all Swedes enjoy outdoor activities because of Jorgen's behavior is an example of stereotyping, which is making a generalized belief based on limited experience with an individual from a different group.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assumption made by the host about Swedes is an example of stereotyping. This occurs when an individual applies their limited experiences with a person from a different culture or group to the entire group, often leading to an oversimplified and generalized belief. In the given scenario, the host inaccurately generalizes Jorgen's personal interest in outdoor activities to all Swedes, overlooking the diversity of personal interests and hobbies that exist within any cultural or national group.

When exchange students or travelers encounter a new culture, they can sometimes experience culture shock and potentially respond with ethnocentrism, preferring their own cultural norms over those of the new culture. However, over time, they may adapt to the new culture for various reasons, learning to appreciate its nuances and complexity. The concept of comparative advantage doesn't apply directly to stereotyping or cultural understanding, but it does demonstrate how individuals within any group can contribute differently despite an uneven distribution of skills or experiences, as shown in the camping example with Jethro.

User Phil Ringsmuth
by
7.8k points