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Liberabit, 2019, 25(2), 159-178 (julio and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people
- diciembre) from Lima
https://doi.org/10.24265/liberabit.2019.v25n2.03
ISSN (Impreso): 1729-4827 ISSN (Digital): 2223-7666
Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdiviaa, Mathias Schmitzb,c,*, Ian Nightingale Ferrerc, Andrés Manuel
Palacios Agurtoc, Agustín Espinosac
a
Ghent University, Belgium
b
Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium
c
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Perú
Abstract Resumen
Peruvian society is characterized by its ethnical, cultural and La sociedad peruana se caracteriza por su diversidad étnica,
socioeconomic diversity, which leads to complex intergroup cultural y socio-económica, lo cual lleva al establecimiento de
relations. To contribute to understanding this phenomenon, the complejas relaciones intergrupales. Para contribuir a la comprensión
present study aims to examine the stereotypical representations de este fenómeno, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo
and prejudice towards different Peruvian social groups by high- examinar las representaciones estereotípicas y el prejuicio hacia
socioeconomic-status group members from Lima. The research diferentes grupos sociales de la sociedad peruana, expresados por
used a mixed-method design for complementing two different personas de sectores socio-económicos altos de la ciudad de Lima.
approaches: a quantitative one, where questionnaires were La investigación comprende un diseño mixto que complementa dos
administered to a sample of 90 participants; and a qualitative one, diferentes aproximaciones: una cuantitativa, donde cuestionarios
in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 fueron aplicados a una muestra de 90 participantes; y una
participants. The results showed that the participants identified cualitativa, en donde una entrevista semiestructurada fue aplicada
high- and low-status groups in the Peruvian society, and hold a 10 participantes. Los resultados muestran que los participantes
ambivalent stereotypical representations towards them. The identifican grupos de alto y bajo estatus en la sociedad peruana y
participants identified and valued White Peruvians as high-status mantienen representaciones estereotípicas ambivalentes hacia
group members, who are competent and developed but also estos. Los participantes identifican y valoran a los peruanos blancos
corrupt. On the other hand, they identified and valued Amazonian como un grupo de clase alta, competente y desarrollado, pero
and African Peruvians to a lesser extent, who are considered as también corrupto. Mientras tanto, se identifican y valoran menos
low-status, undeveloped but joyful groups. The study emphasizes a los peruanos amazónicos y afroperuanos, los cuales son
the importance of social class attributes used in the formation of considerados como grupos de bajo estatus, subdesarrollados pero
stereotypical representations and prejudice towards different alegres. El estudio enfatiza en la importancia asignada a los
Peruvian social groups. atributos de clase social que se utilizan para la construcción de
representaciones estereotípicas y prejuicio hacia diversos grupos
Keywords: stereotypes, prejudice, intergroup relation, mixed-
sociales en el Perú.
method design.
Palabras clave: estereotipos, prejuicio, relaciones intergrupales,
diseños mixtos.
Para citar este artículo: Este es un artículo Open Access bajo la licencia Creative Commons
Pancorbo, G. P., Schmitz, M., Nightingale, I., Palacios, A. M., & Espinosa, Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0
A. (2019). Stereotypes and Valuations of Peruvian social groups in a
Sample of Wealthy People from Lima. Liberabit, 25(2), 159-178. doi:
https://doi.org/10.24265/liberabit.2019.v25n2.03
Liberabit, 2019, 25(2), 159-178 (julio - diciembre) 160 ISSN (Impreso): 1729-4827 ISSN (Digital): 2223-7666
Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
underlie both personal and social judgments (Durante, admiration, whereas feelings of disgust and contempt
Tablante, & Fiske, 2017; Fiske, 2015; Fiske, Cuddy, will arouse by groups perceived as incompetent and
Glick, & Xu, 2002). From an evolutionary cold (poor people, drug addicts). Moreover, it has been
perspective, these dimensions would stem from basic suggested that warmth stereotypes will attenuate active
survival needs, that is, to distinguish potential allies harm (harassing) and elicit active facilitation (helping)
from enemies, and to compete for status and towards the target, whereas competence stereotypes
resources (Van der Toorn et al., 2015). Therefore, will attenuate passive harm (neglecting) and elicit
warmth and competence would respectively derive passive facilitation (associating) (Cuddy, Fiske, &
from the group’s perceived intentions and their Glick, 2007).
capacity to carry them out. For instance, the
stereotype content model (SCM; Fiske et al., 2002) Although these two dimensions produce four
suggests that, on the one hand, perception of low quadrants, research has focused on the so-called mixed
competiveness predicts warmth, which is associated stereotypes (i.e., rich, disabled, women) as well as
to traits such as honesty, kindness, helpfulness and on the fact that social judgments tend to operate
trustworthiness; and, on the other hand, perceived according to a compensation pattern such that targets
(lack of) status would predict competence, which is higher on one of the two dimensions tend to be seen
related to traits such as skill, intelligence and as low on the other dimension (Yzerbyt, Provost, &
efficiency. Corneille, 2005; for a review, see Kervyn, Yzerbyt,
& Judd, 2010; Yzerbyt, 2016, 2018). Conditions
On this regard, it has been argued that the tendency under which the compensation effect emerges are still
to ascribe competence to high-status targets would largely unclear. Cambon, Yzerbyt and Yakimova
serve as a hierarchy-legitimizing function (Van der (2015) pointed out that asymmetry (perceived as stable
Toorn et al., 2015). This idea would be rooted in the and legitimate) combined with low levels of intergroup
merit principle, which supports that distribution of conflict may be necessary conditions to give rise to
outcomes such as jobs, wealth or power should be this pattern. Moreover, the compensatory pattern also
based exclusively on an individual’s merit (i.e., seems to be moderated by group membership.
competence, ability or talent). Therefore, other inputs Specifically, in the context of social comparison, both
such as ethnicity or gender should not be taken into high- and low- status group members tend to exhibit
account when distributing outcomes. However, in in-group bias in their in-group-favored dimension,
practice, this principle operates in such a manner to while out-group favoritism in the other dimension. In
justify and reinforce the status quo (Song Hing, particular, high-status group members would manifest
Bodocel, Zanna, Garcia, Gee, & Orazietti, 2011). an in-group bias in the status-relevant dimension (i.e.,
competence) and out-group bias in the status-
The levels of association between competence and irrelevant dimension (i.e., warmth). The opposite
warmth constitute four types of stereotypes and effect has been observed for members of the low-
intergroup relations. The envious stereotype stems status group. These compensatory patterns called
from the perception of high competence but low ‘noblesse oblige effect’ for the high-status group, and
warmth (i.e., Asians, rich people, Jews) and elicits ‘social creativity’ for the low status one, are prone to
emotions of envy, whereas the paternalistic stereotype take place when non-discriminant pressure are at
is associated with groups viewed as incompetent but stakes, and would serve as a way to enhance and
warmth (disabled people, older people) and generates protect the social identity of group members (Cambon
emotions of pity. On the other hand, groups regarded et al., 2015; Cambon & Yzerbyt, 2018; Yzerbyt &
as high on both competence and warmth (i.e., Cambon, 2017).
heterosexuals, in-group, allies) will rise emotions of
Liberabit, 2019, 25(2), 159-178 (julio - diciembre) 161 ISSN (Impreso): 1729-4827 ISSN (Digital): 2223-7666
Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
In the Peruvian context, stereotypes and prejudice ambivalent, since this group is also related to negative
are of common use and help to establish boundaries traits associated with low warmth such as
among different social groups. In this regard, different individualism, lack of patriotism and corruption
public-opinion studies show that Peruvians recognize (Espinosa; 2011; Espinosa et al., 2007; Genna &
discrimination as very common in their context and Espinosa, 2012; Pancorbo et al., 2011).
share the subjective feeling of often being
discriminated (Instituto de Opinión Pública [Institute On the other hand, Andeans, Amazonians and
for Public Opinion] - Pontificia Universidad Católica African Peruvians are characterized as being
del Perú [Pontifical Catholic University of Peru], IOP- conformist, backward, underdeveloped and incapable,
PUCP, 2018; Latinobarómetro, 2011). Ethnic-racial all of which are associated with a low-competence
categories are not the only discriminatory axis in Peru: profile (Cueto, 2017; Espinosa, 2011; Espinosa et al.,
prejudice in the country tend to be based on ethnicity 2007; Genna & Espinosa, 2012; Pancorbo et al.,
and social class (IOP-PUCP, 2018; León, 1998). 2011). However, these groups are also seen as brave,
Thus, a complex relationship between ethnicity, race, patriotic and supportive, which brings them closer to
social class and economic conditions is established as high warmth and affective representation (Cueto,
the basis of discrimination (Espinosa & Cueto, 2014; 2017; Espinosa; 2011; Espinosa et al., 2007; Genna
Reding, 2007). An example of this is the association & Espinosa, 2012; Pancorbo et al., 2011).
of Indigenous people with poverty in rural areas of
the country (Avilés, 2016; Portocarrero, 1992). Peruvians of Asian descent are related to positive
characteristics such as hard work, honesty, success
Several studies with samples from the low and and capacity. Members of the middle socioeconomic
middle socioeconomic status have shown that class have the most positive representation of this
participants of these surveys distinctively recognize group (Espinosa, 2011; Espinosa et al., 2007; Genna
the presence of high- and low-status groups in the & Espinosa, 2012). However, samples of scarce
Peruvian society. White Peruvians are clearly part of economic resources have a rather vague representation
high-status groups, while Peruvians of Andean and of this group and tend to associate them with low
Amazonian descent, as well as African Peruvians, warmth attributes (Pancorbo et al., 2011).
belong to low-status groups (Espinosa, 2011; Espinosa
et al., 2007; Genna & Espinosa, 2012; Pancorbo et In the abovementioned studies, the categories
al., 2011). In terms of identification, it is not surprising «Peruvians in general» and «Mestizos» are
that most Peruvians tend to identify with the Mestizo characterized in a similar manner. Both groups were
group and the middle-class-status groups, since both perceived as hard working, joyful, unreliable, liars and
conditions imply distancing themselves from the untrustworthy. In general, they share characteristics
nation’s indigenous component and the low-status with the other assessed categories, being thus placed
groups (Espinosa, 2011; Portocarrero, 2006). in an intermediate point between high- and low-status
groups.
More specifically, studies show that White
Peruvians are associated to positive stereotypes such Overall, despite stereotypical representations being
as development, capacity, success and efficacy consistent throughout the aforementioned studies,
(Espinosa; 2011; Espinosa et al., 2007; Genna & certain differences can be observed according to the
Espinosa, 2012; Pancorbo et al., 2011). This, social and economic characteristics of the samples.
according to Fiske et al. (2002), corresponds to a In studies with middle-class samples, most participants
stereotypical representation of high competence. identified themselves with the Mestizo and White
However, the representation of White Peruvians is categories (Espinosa, 2011; Espinosa et al., 2007;
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
1
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines Mestizo as a person born to a father and mother of different races, especially to a White man and an
American Indigenous woman, or an American Indigenous man and a White woman.
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
Semi-structured interview guide In the first part of the study, once the participants
The instrument aimed to explore stereotypical accepted to take part in the study, they were asked
representations and prejudice regarding the social to read carefully an informed consent document which
groups, and the rationality behind the attributes contained information regarding the purposes of the
associated with each group of the first part of the study; ethical considerations regarding the anonymity
study. Therefore, the guide was developed based on of the data collection, treatment and report; as well
the quantitative results of Study 1. It included the five as contact information for any further question. Once
adjectives most related with each of the seven groups they signed the informed consent document, the
(Mestizos, Andean Peruvians, Amazonian Peruvians, questionnaires were administrated individually.
Asian Peruvians, African Peruvians, White Peruvians
An exploratory analysis of the data was performed
and Peruvians in general) in order to know if the
in order to check the presence of missing cases,
participants agreed with the description, the reasons
outliers, and verify normality assumptions. In order
why they agreed or not, and if they could add other
to know which attributes were part of the stereotypical
attributes, considering what they have experienced
representations of the participants, descriptive and
with members of the certain group. In addition, the
correspondence analyses were performed. This last
participants’ representations of the relationship
analysis allowed to display stereotype responses of the
between Peruvian social groups were also explored
participants around social groups in a two-dimensional
in the interviews.
graphical form.
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Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
consent document was read to each participant The five attributes showing the highest incidence
explaining the objectives and the ethical considerations in the description of the evaluated social groups were
of the study. The participant signed the document identified. Table 1 shows the frequency with which
upon agreeing to participate. Each interview had a each attribute was assigned to the abovementioned
duration of approximately 40 minutes and was groups, showing the core elements in their
recorded in audio. Afterwards, interviews were stereotypical representations.
transcribed and reviewed with the aim of establishing
categories for the topics of interest. Once the categories As can be seen, the attribute «hardworking» and
were identified and established, all the information was others related to the different socioeconomic classes
codified using the Atlas Ti software (version 5). are most commonly used in the description of the
Following this codification, the material obtained was social groups. This suggests the interdependence
interpreted and reported. between ethnic and socioeconomic attributes in the
perception of Peruvian groups. Regarding the previous
statement, high-status groups (Whites, Asians and
Results
Mestizos) are related to the middle and high class,
Part one: quantitative results while low-status groups (Andeans, Amazonians and
African Peruvians) are mainly associated with the low
The exploratory analyses showed that the
class.
identification and valuation items were not normally
distributed. Data inspection indicated the absence of A correspondence analysis (X2 = 1339.77, p <
missing cases and a small number of outliers, which .001) explained the 36.70% of the inertia, and showed
were not eliminated. the relationship between the evaluated social categories
and the 27 stereotypical attributes.
Table 1
Main attributes associated with the evaluated social categories
PG MP WP AS AP Amp A-P
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
Figure 1 shows that Andean Peruvians share some groups, White Peruvians are described as being from
characteristics with Amazonian Peruvians and African high class, individualist, successful and corrupt, and
Peruvians whose attributes are: being incompetent, Asian Peruvians are perceived as reliable, honest,
backward, unsuccessful, supportive, brave and from trustworthy and developed. These last two groups are
low class. Closely in the map, Mestizos and Peruvians located at a great distance from other Peruvian groups
in general have negative attributes such as being liars, and from one to the other, which evidences their
conformists, lazy and unreliable. Far away from these distinctiveness.
Table 2 presents means and standard deviations r = .86), African Peruvians (p < .001, r = .81) and
of participants’ group identification and valuation. The Andeans (p < .001, r = .63). In addition, the
results indicated that there are statistically significant participants identified with Mestizos significantly more
differences in the identification of the participants than with Asian Peruvians (p < .001, r = .77),
towards social groups (χ2 (5) = 195.54, p < .001), Amazonians (p < .001, r = .69), African Peruvians
without considering their identification with Peruvians (p < .001, r = .64) and Andean Peruvians (p < .001,
in general. The social identification of the participants r = .45).
with White Peruvians was higher than with Asian
Peruvians (p < .001, r = .94), Amazonians (p < .001,
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Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
Table 2
Means and standard deviations of social identification and valuation towards social groups
Identification Valuation
Group M SD M SD
On the other hand, there were significant statistical with White Peruvians also valued this group
differences in the participants’ valuation of social significantly more (rho = .49, p < .01). The same
groups (χ2 (5) = 52.92, p < .001), also without correspondence was observed in the case of Andeans
considering Peruvians in general. The participants (rho = .35, p < .01), Amazonians (rho = .33, p <
significantly valued Asian Peruvians more than African .01) and Mestizos (rho = .31, p < .01) but with less
Peruvians (p < .001, r = .47) and Amazonian magnitude. Indeed, the association between social
Peruvians (p < .001, r = .37). Similarly, they valued identification and valuation of White Peruvians is even
White Peruvians more than the two aforementioned greater than the association of the same variables in
groups (African Peruvians p < .001, r = .48; the case of a broader category as Peruvians in general
Amazonian Peruvians p < .001, r = .38). (rho = .46, p < .01). In addition, the more the
participants valued White Peruvians, the less they
A correlation analysis between group identification identified themselves with Mestizos (rho = -.35, p <
and individual valuation of groups (Table 3) showed .01), African Peruvians (rho = -.21, p < .01) and
that the participants who identified themselves more Andean Peruvians (rho = -.21, p < .05).
Table 3
Correlation between group identification and individual valuation of groups
Individual Valuation of Groups
Group Identification Whites Mestizos Andeans African Amazonians Asians Peruvians in
Peruvians general
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
A within-subjects t-test was performed (Table 4) In addition, Friedman’s ANOVA showed that there
in order to compare participant’s individual vs. are significant differences in the perceived valuation
perceived valuation of groups. As can be seen, the of groups by the participants (χ2 (5) = 176.09, p <
participants considered that other Peruvians value .001). The results indicate that the participants consider
African, Andean and Amazonian Peruvians less than that White Peruvians are the most valued group
they do. Similarly, but with a lower effect size, the according to other Peruvians (M = 6.69, SD = 1.90);
participants perceived that others value Asian more than African Peruvians (p < .010, r = .90),
Peruvians and Peruvians in general less than they do. Andeans (p < .001, r = .86), Amazonians (p < .001,
On the other hand, there were not significant r = .84), Mestizos (p < .001, r = .37) and Asian
differences between individual and perceived valuation Peruvians (p < .001, r = .36).
in the case of White and Mestizo Peruvians.
Table 4
Mean differences of individual and perceived valuation of groups
Individual valuation Perceived valuation
Groups df t Cohen’s d
M (SD) M (SD)
Part two: qualitative results I see them (White Peruvians) developed, because
I think they’re the group that leads the Peruvian
The second part of the study provided new insights
economy. The owners of the big businesses are
on the reasons why each of the social groups was
[…] from this group. (Male, 19 years old)
associated with certain stereotypical attributes and had
a certain valuation in the first part of the study. In However, White Peruvians were also associated
some cases, the interviewed participants added other with attributes like individualism, corruption and
attributes that, in their opinion, characterize each of discrimination. This last characteristic was attributed
the social groups. more to White Peruvians with high socioeconomic
status.
Regarding White Peruvians, most participants
indicated that they are perceived as highly competent At a prejudice level, these are the things that apply
and as the most powerful group in the Peruvian society to White Peruvians: that they are developed,
due to their economic leadership. Furthermore, this successful, individualist, capitalist, thus also
social group was associated with characteristics such associated with bad things such as corruption and
as development and success. high class. (Male, 24 years old)
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Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
On the other hand, Asian Peruvians were perceived I think they have the stereotype of being
as hardworking, competent and reliable in terms of supportive, joyful, of being the sort of people that
their performance in business. want to help you with everything. (Female, 24
years old)
There is this stereotype of Chinese food and
grocery Chinaman, which are strong ideas in In addition, the participants recognized that the
Lima; there’s an idea of Asians associated to Amazon region is characterized by a higher degree of
work. (Male, 24 years old) poverty and, therefore, is more backward. However,
most participants did not relate backwardness and
On the other hand, African Peruvians were failure as intrinsic characteristics of Amazonian people,
perceived by the participants as owning skills in areas since these attributes are caused by contextual factors
that belong to low social classes such as sports, music such as the absence of government help in the region
and cooking. They were also seen as strenuous and its geographical hardships.
workers with great physical resistance. However, they
were not characterized by their technical skills and The backward and unsuccessful attributes may be
they were even perceived as individuals with lower because development has not arrived there so
intelligence and less chances of pursuing educational much; not so much because of their own
studies. characteristics. (Female, 24 years old)
… they may not have great academic degrees, but Regarding representations of Amazonians, the
[…] they are skilled with their hands for… it’s participants claimed lack of knowledge of this group
mean what I’m going to say, ok? But they are because they do not have direct contact with its
skilled at cooking, playing volleyball or music. members. The participants recognized that they
(Female, 22 years old) usually base their opinions on what the mass media
shows about this group.
The most important characteristic associated to
African Peruvians was joy, which was attributed to …the reinforcement I get from the media is pretty
this group’s musical, dancing and sporting skills. They negative, then, I would have to place them at the
were also distinguished as part of the middle class, lowest rank. (Male, 22 years old)
mainly because they live in the coast and have adopted
a modern coastal culture. The participants indicated that the Andean region
of Peru is characterized by its poverty, which explains
… the black man, the black woman who enjoys why its population is described as belonging to a low
dancing, who dances very well. Who has the socioeconomic status. Therefore, like Amazonian
intrinsic joy that is usually expressed by dancing? Peruvians, Andeans were portrayed as backward and
(Male, 19 years old) conformist; however, this is not seen as an intrinsic
characteristic but rather as the result of the lack of
… middle class because African Peruvians live opportunities.
on the coast, where one can find more cities and
development. (Male, 22 years old) …they are seen as conformists because they don’t
have the same resources as them (other Limeños),
Amazonians were perceived as supportive, which but if they were given the same opportunities and
comes from the idea that they live in communities the same resources, I think that they are capable
and, therefore, are trustworthy, joyful and seek to help of doing anything. (Female, 22 years old)
others.
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
Despite the above mentioned facts, the participants As for the representation of the participants of the
see Andean-Peruvians as resentful because they blame broad category of Peruvians, they were perceived as
others (the State, NGOs and wealthy economic hardworking people and creative in a practical sense;
groups) for their problems, and do not solve their in spite of lacking technical skills and general
situation by their own effort. They were also perceived competence, they use their resourcefulness and
as envious and distrustful individuals. However, creativity to go ahead.
Andean people who live in the Andean region were
differentiated from those who migrated to the capital Competent, I don’t know, because it includes
and adapted to the coastal culture: their migration to technical capacity, and not many people have the
Lima is perceived as an act of bravery, since it implies capacity to solve a mathematical problem. I
the search for personal development. Because of this, mean, I wouldn’t use the word competent; I’d use
migrant Andean people were perceived in a more creative, witty. (Female, 19 years old)
positive way than the ones that stayed in their region.
In addition, Peruvians were described as joyful,
They are resentful because they are always trying since, even in adverse situations, they keep a positive
to blame the government, NGOs for their attitude. Although this joy is often interpreted as a sign
suffering… they don’t solve them by themselves. of conformism, some participants revealed that this
(Female, 22 years old) stereotype is changing, since they perceived Peruvians
in a more positive manner, with more chances of
…in Lima things have been changing and the improving their current situation.
«cholo» goes from being perceived as backward
[…] to, finally, being seen as brave. (Male, 24 … I think they are conformists and joyful, well…
years old) I see it like the fact that they live a happy life...
(Female, 19 years old)
Concerning the representation of Mestizos, the
participants showed difficulties when trying to describe I don’t (believe they are conformists). I believe
this group. They perceived them as the result of a it’s something that has always been seen, like a
mixture of races, being the group associated to most trademark of Peruvians, but I believe that this is
Peruvians. There is ambivalence regarding the way fading slowly, with all that we are improving.
in which Mestizo Peruvians are conceptualized: on the (Female, 24 years old)
one hand, they are highly valued and, on the other,
they are seen as unreliable. General Discussion
I believe that mestizos are highly valued, because The present study examined the stereotypical
they are what’s normal, they see it as something representations and prejudices towards different
normal, they don’t see it as neither bad nor good. Peruvian social groups according to members of the
(Male, 19 years old) high socioeconomic level in Lima. This was performed
using a mixed-method design that contributed to
...they are unreliable because they don’t inspire converge the quantitative and qualitative results, in
much trust when doing things. Let’s say, economic order to explore the complex dynamic of stereotypes
type of things, serious things, if they earn five and prejudices towards social groups in the Peruvian
soles they try to earn the sixth or the seventh using society. As such, the quantitative results allowed to
corrupt practices. (Male, 21 years old) identify the most representative attributes associated
with each of the social groups, and the groups towards
whom the participants hold the strongest identification
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Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
and valuation. To complement these first results, the identity plays in the enhancement of self-esteem (cf.
qualitative findings offered a broader description of Tajfel & Turner, 1986).
each of the social groups and their relations, as well
as new insights on the reasoning behind the stereotypes It is noteworthy the case of Asian Peruvians as
given to each of them. they were not characterized by attributes associated
with the warmth dimension but instead with attributes
As Fiske et al. (2002) report, stereotypical related to the competent dimension. Asian and African
representations of social groups, as well as prejudice Peruvians were historically social groups placed under
towards them, are typically ambivalent, and it is slavery conditions in Peru (Gómez, 2005).
constituted around two general dimensions: Nevertheless, Asian Peruvians have managed to
competence and warmth. Although the attributes overcome this stereotype and they are nowadays
included in this research were not selected or classified related to hard work, success and modernity. This is
according to these dimensions (Fiske et al., 2002), reinforced, partly, by the stereotype of the Asian
results indicated that the perception of most social foreigner, which is associated with hard work,
groups was aligned with this theory. The White technology and development.
Peruvians group, for example, was perceived as a
group with high competence (e.g., successful, The stereotype towards African Peruvians may be
competent), but with low warmth (e.g., individualist, influenced by the participants’ desire of not being
corrupt). The attributes of low warmth reinforce the perceived as discriminatory people. Since the common
competence of the group, since individualism and idea is that in Peru «all –White, Indian and Mestizo–
corruption are seen in some sectors of the country as despise the Black» (Vargas Llosa & Munné, 2004, p.
legitimate means to obtain and maintain power 1106), perceiving this group in a negative manner
(Espinosa et al., 2007). In contrast to White could be socially reproached. Because of this, there
Peruvians, African Peruvians showed a strong is a tendency to compensate their low competence
relationship with warmth attributes and a weak attributes with other characteristics associated with the
association with competence. Again, the abilities seen warmth dimension: on the one hand, African Peruvians
as characteristic of this group (those related with are perceived as technically and academically poorly
music, sports and cooking) seem to support their competent; and, on the other, they are perceived with
perception as a warm group. characteristics such as joyful, supportive and good
dancers, attributes that define them as expressive and
Although there is a tendency among Peruvians to warm. This could be the manifestation of a benevolent
identify themselves as Mestizos (Latinobarómetro, prejudice, which, although it does not express
2011; Espinosa, 2011; Portocarrero, 1992), most antipathy, legitimates the inclusion of African Peruvians
participants in this research identified themselves with as part of a low-status group (Espinosa et al., 2007).
the White Peruvian group. This identification could
be motivated by the desire to belong to the best valued The relatively low valuation and inferior levels of
category, which possesses attributes that are most competence attributed to Andeans seems to be
appreciated both individually and collectively. In a motivated by the perception that they are a group
similar vein, the results obtained by Pancorbo et al. marked by resentment and envy towards the high-
(2011) with the low socioeconomic status sample status groups. However, the participants show a better
indicated that the participants not only identified valuation for Andeans who migrate to Lima and insert
themselves the most with Andean and Amazonian themselves in the coastal urban system, making local
Peruvians but also valued them greatly. This customs and values their own. Migrants are better
motivation can be explained by the role that social evaluated since it is perceived that they are seeking
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Stereotypes and valuations of Peruvian social groups in a sample of wealthy people from Lima
for improvement in a region which is considered to for instance, Andean, Amazonian and African
be the country’s power and development center. Peruvians were cataloged as low class individuals in
Additionally, this contextual influence on prejudice is this study and, according to national statistics, 46%
present in the valuation of other social groups such of the Indigenous and African Peruvian population live
as African Peruvians. More research is required in in poverty in Peru (Instituto Nacional de Estadística
order to clarify the relationship between context and e Informática [National Institute of Statistics and
perception of social groups. Informatics], INEI, 2015). However, the common
associations between social groups and social classes
Overall, Amazonians tend to be portrayed as a non- may serve theoretically to another purpose. Being
competent group, since they are seen as an isolated cataloged as a person who discriminates based on race
group with no direct connection with the modern is perceived as a strong interpersonal threat (Fiske &
coastal area of Peru. However, there is a partially Taylor, 2007), and is related to feelings of shame and
positive perception of Amazonians, characterized by guilt (Bruce, 2007). Social class is a category on which
attributes associated with the warmth dimension, such the individual can build prejudices with fewer
as joyful and supportive. Additionally, the geographical restrictions and evade social sanctions. In this way,
and cultural distance from the capital city results in a biological discrimination is concealed with prejudices
poorer knowledge of their traditions and lifestyle, based on social classes, and this is covered, in turn,
making the media and advertisement the most with arguments grounded on education and cultural
accessible sources of information to construct differences (Cosamalón, 1993; Twanama, 1992)
knowledge of this particular group. It is important to which receive less social restraint. This expression of
highlight the role that the media plays in the discrimination can also be corroborated by different
characterization and stereotyping of Amazonians and responses on individual and perceived valuation of
other social groups in Peru. In some cases, the groups. In this case, the participants assigned similar
participants knew little or nothing about the groups, scores to every social group when asked for their own
and they consciously turned to descriptions they opinion, but gave different ratings when they
learned from the media when characterizing them. addressed others’ points of view. When compared
those evaluations with the descriptions they gave to
The Mestizo category is perceived as the group the social groups, it would seem as if they tried to
that better describes the mixture of races that mask their own opinion in order to avoid being
characterizes Peruvians. Because of this, it is seen as perceived as discriminators.
a key factor for inclusion and integration, since it could
represent a common ground for all Peruvians; for this As mentioned earlier, previous analyses evidence
reason, it is conceptualized in a very similar way as that, in Peru, social groups are perceived in an
Peruvians in general. Both groups condense the ambivalent way, which is consistent with causes of
characteristics that are valued in other Peruvian groups modern prejudice and ambivalence, fostered by the
(hardworking, patriotic and competent) and many need to appear «politically correct». This configuration
which are considered negative (cunning and of prejudice and stereotyping goes beyond the
conformist). Peruvian case, since there are and have been common
patterns in other Latin American countries. Ambivalent
It is important to highlight the importance of social representations are common among social groups,
class when representing groups in Peru, such as the where attributes associated with competence are
relationship between Indigenous people and poverty ascribed to high-status groups, and those related to
(Portocarrero, 1992). This kind of subjective warmth are attributed to low-status groups (Fiske et
representations correlates with Peruvian social reality: al., 2002). Furthermore, in other countries of the
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Gina Pamela Pancorbo Valdivia, Mathias Schmitz, Ian Nightingale Ferrer, Andrés Manuel Palacios Agurto, Agustín Espinosa
region, high-status groups generally include White and (Cambon et al., 2015). Because most participants in
Mestizo populations, while low-status groups consist the study generally identify themselves with White
of Indigenous or African-descent populations (Camino, Peruvians, which is the dominant group, they tend to
da Silva, Machado, & Pereira, 2001; Espinosa & favor their in-group in the competence dimension
Cueto, 2014; Ishibashi, 2003; Traverso-Yépez, 2005; while also crediting the lower-status groups with
Van Dijk, 2007). warmth but not competence. This specific pattern
corresponds to what has been called the «noblesse
Latin American countries share a bond so strong oblige effect» and is prone to take place when non-
that it implies the manner in which they understand discriminant pressures are at stake, as in the case of
themselves, perceive the groups in their societies and the Peruvian society. In this regard, Yzerbyt and
value these groups. Therefore, due to the prevalence Cambon (submitted), argued that this tendency may
of negative and fragile social identities, as well as a be accounted by the differential objectivity of the two
disadvantageous comparison with higher-status dimensions. Specifically, the competence dimension
societies such as Europeans or other White cultures, would be perceived as more objective than the
it has been hypothesized that Latin American citizens warmth dimension. As a consequence, low-status-
display a phenomena called «altercentrism» (Montero, group members would be «forced» to recognize the
1991). In particular, this phenomenon manifests as the competence of high-status groups, whereas high-
«whitening» of natives and Mestizos, which can serve status-group members would have the possibility to
as an instrument for social recognition and mobility achieve positive distinctiveness in both dimensions.
(see Tajfel & Turner, 1979).
The present study is not exempt of limitations. The
Moreover, the participants’ perceptions of social samples of the two parts of the study were collected
groups in Peru seem to follow a compensation pattern, by convenience and were reduced in number, which
such that targets higher in one of the two dimensions was partly due to the difficulties in selecting
tend to be seen as low in the other one. Indeed, the participants from the high socioeconomic level. Also,
most valued group (i.e., White Peruvians) was pictured in the quantitative part, the sample mainly consisted
as competent (e.g., successful, high class, competent) of young adults (mostly between 10 and 30 years old),
but not sociable (e.g., individualist, corrupt, unpatriotic). while the sample of the qualitative part was
On the other hand, low-status groups (i.e., African, unbalanced in terms of gender distribution as there
Amazonian and Andean Peruvians) were described in were more males participating than females. Future
an opposite way: highly warmth (e.g., joyful, studies should increase the number of participants and
supportive, patriotic) but lacking of competence (e.g., improve the data collection process from specific
incompetent, unsuccessful, low class). As Cambon et socioeconomic groups as the one proposed in this
al. (2015) pointed out, this compensation pattern seems study. In addition, future studies should include other
to be bolstered by contexts with asymmetrical measures, or redefine the existing ones, to explore
relationship in groups combined with low levels of stereotypes by following specific theoretical
violent intergroup conflict (cf. Cueto, 2017). perspectives as the stereotype content model that
proved to be useful to understand the results of the
Furthermore, studies have shown that present study. In this regard, the nature of the measure
compensation can be moderated by group used in this study prevented from performing
membership, such that group members exhibit out- multivariate analyses, which may have shed light on
group favoritism in their less favored dimension only the structure of stereotype content. Finally, it is
to the extent that they can achieve positive recommended the use of additional measures to assess
differentiation in their in-group-favored dimension the implicit expression of prejudices.
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Mathias Schmitz
Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain, Bélgica); Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP)
Bachiller en Letras y Ciencias Humanas con Mención en Psicología (PUCP), Licenciada en Psicología con Mención en Psicología Social
(PUCP). Magíster en Ciencias Psicológicas (UCLouvain). Ha sido Docente TPA del Departamento Académico de Psicología (PUCP).
Candidato a doctor en la Facultad de Psicologia de la Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain).
ORCID: 0000-0001-9272-5874
Autor corresponsal: mathias.schmitz@pucp.pe
Agustín Espinosa
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Perú
Bachiller en Letras y Ciencias Humanas con Mención en Psicología (PUCP), Licenciado en Psicología con Mención en Psicología Social
(PUCP). Doctor en Psicología Social por la Universidad del País Vasco, España. Profesor principal del Departamento Académico de
Psicología (PUCP)
ORCID: 0000-0002-2275-5792
agustin.espinosa@pucp.pe
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