It is information that a person has gathered about a certain group of people and take that knowledge and over generalizes it and often times makes a negative evaluation about that group. An example would be if a person see's a show and it conceives a person to be a certain way, and you assume that all people of that race or gender are the exact same. .
An example of this is how the locksmith was often viewed in the movie. When he was changing the locks at the Cabot's he was referred to as a thug, a thief, and someone who must be dishonest based on how he looked. He was later perceived as someone who ripped the store owner off when he was actually explaining the situation with the door correctly, yet the language barrier didn't allow the store owner to understand. The locksmith was nothing as described instead he was an honest man trying to provide for his family. Instead stereotyping, prejudice, and language were all barriers for these individuals not have effective verbal communication.
In another seen Officer Ryan calls his father's insurance company to see if he can see another doctor to get the proper care for an infection that is keeping him up at night. Shaniqua the agent at the company is a black female who is very respectful and as helpful as she can be is attacked by Ryan when he doesn't get the answers that he wants. He learns her name and states that she is worthless in helping him because she is black. When he comes into the office and still doesn't get the answer he wants and once again attacks her verbally stating that she has her job because of his father. And that white people are much better qualified for the position. He showed prejudice in the aspect that he feels his race was better and more qualified than hers. .
The obstacles that take place in the movie in regards to intercultural communication besides stereotyping which is seen more than once, also include perception, prejudice, self-bias and discrimination.
