345
A further four items were not stereotyped by Aborigines, but
received more than one-third support. Three of these items were
negative. The same items were stereotyped negatively by non-Aborigines.
TABLE 13
Items not stereotyped by Aborigines, having more than one-third support
Item, not stereotyped, but
supported
Aboriginal
response
Non-Aboriginal
response
O,
ъ
Of
trustworthy
no purpose in life
no ambition
can’t be counted on
37.7
36.1
36.6
34.8
54.2 untrustworthy
60.3
64.7
60.6-
Only two items, according to the definition given, were stereotyped
t t t f
positively: friendly and strong sense of right and wrong. However, on
this last item 36.5 per CentbelievedAborigines had a poor sense of
right and wrong, even though 40.8 per Centbelievedthey had ∙ a strong
sense of right and wrong.
A
The commonly held stereotype of Aborigines as dirty and neglected
was not favoured. Rather, there was a spread of opinion. Some
respondents (5.5%) saw Aborigines in general as very dirty and untidy;
some,(11%) saw them as very clean and tidy; most opted for an ’average’
view.
clean and tidy
25.5 Λ
mid-point
57.6%
dirty
16.7%
This spread is also present for the categories ’good providers’ and
’neglect children’, for items on ambition, on being reliable, on having
a purpose in life.
Conclusion
The stereotyping of Aborigines by Aborigines reflects by and large
that of non-Aborigines, though with somewhat less support in each case.
The hypothesis that institutionalization of typifioations
would be found was supported.
The question is now asked whether the Aborigines in the study
have internalised negative stereotypes for themselves and their families,
as distinct from Aborigines in general.