Universität zu Köln

Makosch, Katharina (2025). Constructing Knowledge about Voice(s): An Exploration of the Relation between Essentialism and the Stereotyping of Social Categories. Masters thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

Knowledge about voice(s) is produced and transmitted in discourses that can be influenced by biases. Both stereotypes and essentialism, or the assumption that there are knowable or discoverable essences defined by necessary traits that exist objectively and mind-independently, have been categorized as biases. Several studies in the field of psychological essentialism indicate a link between the two. The question inhowfar relations between essentialism and stereotypes are present in knowledge about voice(s) is studied on the basis of a theoretical framework that draws from discussions of conceptualizations of relevant terms, namely voice(s), essentialism, knowledge, as well as social categories and stereotypes and an overview over the field of psychological essentialism. Essentialism and stereotypes are shown to share a structural similarity and generic language is discussed as potentially transmitting essentialist and stereotypical ideas about social categories. Case studies that include academic publications as well as (in)formal lessons are analyzed in regard to whether they allow for an essentialist reading. The findings include that generic language regarding social categories can serve as a point of intersection of essentialism and stereotypes, that generic social categories can be used to stand in for specific vocal features that can be more accurately described without reference to social categories, and that essentialism can be strategically used in the context of identity politics. A limitation of this thesis is that it rests on an interpretative approach, wherefore further studies concerning the relation between essentialism and stereotypes in knowledge about voice(s), as people actually experience it, are called for. Through this approach, it emerged that conceptualizations of social categories and their relevance in relation to voice(s) should be made explicit in order to produce and transmit knowledge about voice(s) more accurately and ethically.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Makosch, Katharina katharina.makosch@web.de UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-788318
Date:	2025
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 1: Kunstgeschichte, Musikwissenschaft, Medienkultur und Theater, Linguistik, IDH > Musikwissenschaftliches Institut
Subjects:	Generalities, Science Philosophy Social sciences Music
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language voice, social categories, essentialism, stereotypes, biases, knowledge production, knowledge transmission, constructivism, psychological essentialism, generic language UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	31 May 2025
Referee:	Name Academic Title Erbe, Marcus Jun.-Prof. Dr. Egermann, Hauke Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/78831