The Complexity of Racism: Understanding the Stereotype Content Model

How Positive and Negative Labels Shape Racist Perceptions

People often think it's easy to be a successful racist. The most common mistake of novice racists is believing that racism is only about attaching negative stereotypes to an ethnic group different from their own. Two prominent examples are: "Mizrahim are primitive" and "Ashkenazim are arrogant."

Negative stereotypes play a significant role in racism, but the most important step is attaching positive labels specifically to the marked ethnic group. This is not about distributing unfounded compliments like "Mizrahim are enlightened" or "Ashkenazim are modest." You cannot arbitrarily assign positive and negative labels; it is crucial to understand how to position yourself in relation to the group that threatens you in terms of power and status.

Understanding the Axes of Racism

The second thing you must do is characterize the group that threatens you according to two basic axes: the ability axis and the warmth axis. The ability axis includes indicators such as intellectual level, education, professional ability, and economic resources. The warmth axis is illustrated by family, cooking, emotion, sentimentality, religion, tribalism, loyalty, physicality, and instincts.

The first rule to remember is that groups perceived as having lower status receive a low score on the ability axis but a high score on the warmth axis. For example, if you are Mizrahi and want to criticize Arabs, you cannot only assign negative labels like "Arab work" on the ability axis. To be truly racist, you must also attach a positive label on the warmth axis, such as "Not on their tabula!" Conversely, to discriminate against a group with higher socioeconomic status, you must assign a positive label on the ability axis but a negative label on the warmth axis (remember Einav Bobalil's "dead Friedmen" from the Big Brother show?).

Hidden Racism in Relationships

My point is that sometimes behavior that doesn't seem racist is indeed racist. Understanding this is important for justice, but also because it is violent behavior masquerading as non-violent, making it much harder to address.

The thesis that explains this behavior is called the Stereotype Content Model, developed by social psychologist Susan Fiske and her colleagues. This model originated from the study of sexism. For instance, the statement "Women are unstable" (a low score on the ability axis) alongside "Women are delicate" (a seemingly positive quality).

Racism in Different Contexts

It's easy to see how these axes work in relationships. A woman can easily confront a partner, father, or brother who labels her as "crazy." However, if he labels her as "soft" to limit her, it can be harder for her to resist. Understanding that racism and sexism can hide under positive labels helps in dealing with oppression.

The validity of this model has been confirmed in different groups worldwide. Racists in America may believe blacks are lazy, lawbreakers, and dangerous (low score on the ability axis) but also that they sing well, are better athletes, and more creative than whites (high score on the warmth axis).

Real-World Examples

Recently, there was controversy in New York when Brett Stevens, a conservative opinion writer, published an article about the success of Jews, citing research suggesting the intellectual superiority of Ashkenazi Jews. A sharper example of racism based on opposite scores on two axes is an interview with sociologist Nissim Mizrahi.

Mizrahi criticizes the liberal left for its narrow-mindedness towards differing opinions. He presents his thesis as balanced, showing both positive and negative sides of liberalism and the Israeli left. However, his argument fits the structure of a racist argument. He gives the group he marks a high score on the ability axis (describing them as logical, intelligent, and cultural) but a low score on the warmth axis (lacking deep sentiment for the Jewish people and Jewish values).

The reading of this interview takes on another dimension when examined through the lens of social psychology. As a footnote, this model also explains why Mizrahim have no problem being led by a competent Ashkenazi. They give Ashkenazim a high score on the ability axis and, if they find one who scores highly on the warmth axis, they see it as an exceptional case.

Understanding the Stereotype Content Model helps in recognizing hidden racism and addressing it effectively in relationships and society.