The name is absent

Thus one might well say that items that are negative in

content, e.g., speaking English badly, drinking too much, are
nevertheless seen as characteristic of the Australian way of

life by the mainstream group, and`not characteristics particular
to Aborigines.

Being in trouble with the police and being in debt were placed
Г

at the mid-point by the non-Aboriginal respondents at the schools
•                   4 *       *                             *

studied. The population in general was thus seen to have some problems
«

in this area.

Again these characteristics usually associated with Aborigines
were not seen by the mainstream groups as exclusively Aboriginal
characteristics.

TABLE 9
4
Characteristics which best describe ‘Australians? - non-Aboriginal response

Rank                                          Corresponding rating on

ordering        Characteristic                 stereotype

№

1.             friendly                                  1

2.            drink too much                           4

3.            good parents                             3

4.            reliable                                12

5.            don’t speak proper English             11

Non-Aborigines gave great support to friendliness as an

This item received the highest support

in stereotyping (77.1%) and it was held to be most characteristic
of Australians. Not speaking proper English and drinking too much,
two negative attributes which were stereotyped, were also seen as
best describing Australians.

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