Silent and Slow Estonians, Emotional and Fast Russians: A Comparative Study of Communication Stereotypes in Two Neighboring Countries

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the auto- and heterostereotypes of Estonians and Russians as communicators. A Communication Stereotypes Questionnaire was developed for this study. The results showed that the communication stereotypes varied essentially among Estonians and Russians, whereas the stereotypes of Russians living in Estonia and Russians living in Russia did not differ remarkably. The comparison of stereotype profiles demonstrated that the stereotypes of Estonians and both Russian samples were opposite to each other. The ideal communicator was characterized rather similarly by all groups, mostly featuring qualities typical of the Russian communication stereotype.

Keywords:

• Communication Stereotypes
• Estonia
• Russia
• Semantic Differential

Acknowledgments

Research for this article was supported by the Estonian Research Competency Council (Grant No. SF0180025s08), by the Estonian Science Foundation (Grant No. 9033), and by the Estonian Center of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Notes

Note. Sharing the same superscripted letter does not significantly differ at p < .05.

Note. Only adjectives that were mentioned more than three times are included.

Note. Sharing the same superscripted letter does not significantly differ at p < .05.

Note. ICC_DE = intraclass correlations (double entry method); CI = 95% confidence interval.

Note. Numbers in parentheses indicate the frequency of naming a particular trait.

The original questionnaire used in the study (COMSTER) can be retrieved from Luule Mizera upon request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luule Mizera

Luule Mizera (Ph.D., University of Tartu, 2003) is affiliated with the Institute of Psychology at the University of Tartu.

Tiia Tulviste

Tiia Tulviste (PhD, Stockholm University, 2002) is a Professor in the Institute of Psychology at the University of Tartu.

Kätlin Konstabel

Kätlin Konstabel (MSc, University of Tartu, 2002) is affiliated with the Institute of Psychology at the University of Tartu and Estonian Centre of Applied Psychology.

Enel Lausa

Enel Lausa (MSc, University of Tartu, 2004) is affiliated with the Institute of Psychology at the University of Tartu.