Change and Stability in Intergroup Perceptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether language-based stereotypes of English and French Canadians have changed or remained stable following a period of considerable sociopolitical change in Quebec. Using the matched guise technique, groups of English and French Canadian subjects rated three trilingual males speaking in Canadian English, Quebec French and Euro pean French guises on scales related to status (e.g. educated, ambitious) and sol idarity (e.g. likeable, warm) characteristics. The results were compared to those originally found by Lambert, Hodgson, Gardner and Fillenbaum in 1960. It was found that, relative to 1960, the present subjects expressed more ingroup solidar ity but that both groups continued to downgrade speakers of Quebec French on status traits. The status results for the French Canadian respondents could not be accounted for by actual socio-economic advantages associated with English. Nor were they specific to comparisons between Quebec French and Canadian English since similar effects were found for comparisons with European French. The status results are interpreted in terms of a generalised psychological stereotype of French Canadians that is relatively immune to objective evidence. These results suggest that it is easier to change perceptions of ingroup solidarity than percep tions of intergroup status and that the former can be achieved through actions with high symbolic value, such as language legislation.

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