Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of stereotyping belonging to different regions other than Magellanes, called "the evil people of the north". A sample of 81 inhabitants of the city of Punta Arenas participated voluntarily in this study being selected by non-probabilistic sampling by quotas. They responded to two instruments to assess stereotypes, one semantic differentiales, and the other by generating adjectives. Using these techniques were evaluated social categories: Magellan (auto-stereotype), people from Chiloe, native of Villa del Mar, people from de north and from Santiago city. The results indicate that the group less positively evaluated is that which corresponds to that of Santiago showing the ambivalent stereotype. The difference between age groups indicates that young people assess negatively to this group while the adults are in neutral. The results are discussed regarding the empirical basis of the myth of the "the evil people of the north" and its implications for regional and national coexistence.