Barbarian from the East. From the stereotype to the mythologization of the Russians

The text presents the transformations of the image of Russia and Russians in Polish culture throughout history (from the eighteenth century to the present day). The aim of the article is to show ways to create stereotypes and national myths in order to achieve political goals. The political context of the changes taking place in the relations of Poles and Russians and its influence on shaping the image of the eastern neighbor is shown. The subject of creating stereotypes and national autostereotypes and the mythologization of one’s own history was already discussed at the moment of current events of significant importance. The text shows the relationship between politics, identity and international relations in the context of the history and aspirations of independence of the Polish nation.

Autorka artykułu dokonuje próby opisu wyznaczników tożsamości mieszkańców Zagłębia Dąbrowskiego – regionu na pograniczu śląsko-małopolskim – ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem jego stolicy – Sosnowca. Do opisu tożsamości wykorzystuje Tadeusza Lewowickiego Teorię Zachowań Tożsamościowych, w której wyróżniono sześć obszarów uwarunkowań tożsamości i zachowań tożsamościowych. Autorka podkreśla, że nie bez znaczenia dla kształtowania się tożsamości regionalnej mieszkańców Sosnowca jest fakt zamieszkiwania na pograniczu śląsko-zagłębiowskim oraz historyczne podziały ziem polskich z czasów rozbiorów. Historyczne i geograficzne uwarunkowania przyczyniły się do powstania antagonizmów między Ślązakami i Zagłębiakami, które – w założeniu autorki – mogą przyczyniać się do wzmacniania tożsamości mieszkańców Zagłębia.

This paper focuses on the depiction of the Slavs in a work by a French naturalist Marcel de Serres, published in 1814 and entitled Voyage en Autriche. This work is an example of the analysis including a very detailed reflection on Slavdom, made in time of the increasing political engagement of Napoleonic France in Southeastern and Central Europe. The author of the work deliberated on the character of the Slavs and their presumed national unity, simultaneously searching for the ways to explain very apparent differences between various Slavic populations. According to Marcel de Serres the Slavs of the Habsburg Monarchy formed two geographical branches (western and oriental) and were divided into seven principal races, and twenty-seven “secondary branches”. Voyage en Autriche depicted regularities, which were supposed to characterize all of the Slavs, but Marcel de Serres devoted much attention to some details which were considered as exotic and later were described by the writers of the Romantic period fascinated with the Slavic culture.

Among many demographic changes, one of the most evident now is the aging of the population, the consequences of which are increasingly leaving a mark on the directions of social policy. In connection with the aging of the population and positive aspects, manifestations of ageism, based on stereotypes and negative attitudes toward older people, are also more and more noticeable. Sometimes, these are discriminatory practices against older people encountered in the health sector, the labor market, public offices, and others. The research presented in the article aimed to identify age discrimination and its manifestations among older people. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose the research sample – the assumption was to examine active older people related to a large city who get involved and participate in various activities and projects carried out for them by nongovernmental organizations. The method of a diagnostic survey with a questionnaire, which included both closed and open-ended questions, was used in the research. The research was intended to help answer the following questions: do older people notice age discrimination, and have they experienced worse treatment because of their age? How many of the surveyed seniors experienced worse treatment and what forms (most often) did it take, and where did it happen?

The given article highlights an experimental study and pilot stereotype-oriented teaching aimed at an effective perspective of Korean and Ukrainian intercultural communication. Fifty-four Korean students of the faculty of Ukrainian studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies took part in this project. The aim of the research consisted in determining and explaining the contents of ethnic stereotypes concerning Ukraine and the Ukrainians, which are common among Korean students. In addition, the study meant not only to develop effective means to overcome stereotypes, but also to offer ways how to manage them through stereotype-oriented teaching. The procedure of the analysis went through several stages: (a) revealing stereotypes through anonymous surveys among students; (b) quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data obtained; (c) stereotype-oriented / destereotyped teaching and feedback from the students. The experimental study has disproven certain fears of some researchers that stereotypes cannot be taught and spread within the learning process.

Referring to the results of the authors’ own research published in The New Educational Review (Turska, Bernacka 2010; Turska 2011), this article attempts at competitive verification of a hypothesis that explains differences in the perception of a mathematics teacher by Polish male and female students in view of a popular stereotype that Mathematics is a domain for males. It was assumed that diverse perceptions may result from different interpersonal expectations of the two genders. A comparative study carried out on a group of Ukrainians, established in accordance with the principles of ecological validity, seems to further substantiate the stigmatising effect of the stereotype in Poland.