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A curious comparison between black sheep and white crows: How do different cultures view the different?
In many languages, the images of the black sheep and the white crow refer to those who do not fit in with the group. These words carry different meanings in their respective cultures and have led to various views and understandings of the other.
The idiom "black sheep" first appeared in English to describe those family or social members who suddenly appear different and unacceptable among a group of expected members.
The Cultural Significance of Black Sheep
Literally, black sheep refers to sheep with black fur. In contrast, the fur of most sheep is white. This means that black sheep stand out in the flock and their wool has less commercial value because black wool cannot be dyed. From a psychological perspective, this concept extends to the "black sheep effect," which refers to the fact that group members tend to judge unpopular members of the group more harshly than members of the outside group.
The symbolism of the white crow
Similarly, the expression "white crow" has similar meanings in other cultures. It refers to an outlier within a group, such as "belaya vorona" (white crow) in Russian and "kalāg-e sefīd" (white crow) in Persian. These phrases show us that, whether in the West or the East, when a person or thing is different, they are usually seen as an alien or even excluded.
"In 18th and 19th century Britain, black sheep were seen as a symbol of evil."
Cultural background on the view of the different
Although this view of the different varies in different cultures, it reflects a profound social psychology. Western culture often uses black sheep to represent those who don't fit in, while in some Eastern cultures, white crows become a symbol of morality that goes against the norm. Behind these cultural reflections lies an unconditional compliance with social norms and intolerance of those who are different.
Explanation in psychology
According to social identity theory, group members will strive to maintain a positive image of themselves and society, which can explain why group members are often more likely to make extreme evaluations of other members. This includes high evaluations of favored members and harsh criticisms of members who don't fit in. This was confirmed by an experiment in 1988. In this experiment, researchers asked Belgian students to evaluate alternative groups based on their social characteristics. The results showed that group members rated undesirable members within the group significantly lower than they rated undesirable members outside the group.
The Limitations of the Black Sheep Effect
While the "black sheep effect" has been supported in many studies, the opposite has sometimes been seen. For example, White participants might evaluate unqualified Black targets more negatively. This shows that there are many factors that influence the "black sheep effect", including the individual's identification with the group, the organic nature of the group, and situational factors.
Conclusion"This theory emphasizes the adherence to group norms and criticism of the outliers at the social level, reflecting the human instinct to survive in groups."
The discussion about black sheep and white crows is not only an evaluation of the outliers, but also a profound reflection on group identity and cultural differences. As society changes, should we re-examine the meaning of these idioms and think about their applicability and limitations in today's society? This makes us wonder: In this increasingly diverse society, do the outliers really need to be accepted? And inclusiveness?
