The Construction of Country Images and Stereotypes: From Public Views to Google Searches

Authors

  • Diana Ingenhoff University of Fribourg
  • Elad Segev Tel Aviv University
  • Jérôme Chariatte University of Fribourg

Keywords:

public diplomacy, country images, Google search analysis, mixed-method design, news factors, country stereotypes

Abstract

This study explores the role of stereotypes in the construction of country images. Using social and psychological assumptions about stereotypes and news values theory, we hypothesize that country images are formed primarily based on stereotypes and that countries in close proximity display more diverse images of each other. Following the newly developed 5-dimensional model, we analyzed survey questions about Switzerland in seven countries and compared the answers with Google searches in the same countries. Survey questions displayed more stereotypes than Google searches did. Stereotypes were indeed found to be predominant when forming country images. Countries in closer proximity displayed more diverse images, but also more stereotypes, about Switzerland than did distant countries.

Author Biographies

Diana Ingenhoff, University of Fribourg

Full professor of organizational and strategic communicationUniversity of FribourgBd de Pérolles 90CH-1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandTel: +41 (0)26 300 83 98

Elad Segev, Tel Aviv University

Associate Professor of Digital Media and CommunicationThe Department of CommunicationTel Aviv UniversityTel Aviv 69978, IsraelTel: +972(0) 3 640 65 21

Jérôme Chariatte, University of Fribourg

Research AssistantUniversity of FribourgBd de Pérolles 90CH-1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandTel: +41 (0)26 300 83 98

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Published

2020-01-01

Issue

Vol. 14 (2020)

Section

Articles

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