2.1.4 - Prejudice and discrimination Flashcards
What is social cognition?
The role of person perception, attributions, attitudes, and stereotypes in interpreting, analyzing, remembering, and using information about the social world.
What is cognitive dissonance?
The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes.
What are cognitive biases?
Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.
What are heuristics?
Mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making decisions.
What is the effect of prejudice on mental well-being?
Prejudice, discrimination, and stigma negatively influence a person’s or group’s mental well-being.
What does the term ‘prejudice’ refer to?
An often negative preconception held against people within a certain group or social category.
What does the prefix ‘pre’ in ‘prejudice’ signify?
Before.
According to the tri-component model of attitudes, what component does prejudice represent?
The affective component.
List the four basic characteristics of prejudice identified by Herbert Blumer.
- Belief in superiority of the majority group
- Perception of difference and non-belonging of the minority group
- Belief in more power and importance of the majority group
- Insecurity of the majority group regarding the minority group’s power.
What is old-fashioned prejudice?
A form of prejudice where majority group members openly reject minority group members.
What is modern prejudice?
A more subtle and hidden form of prejudice that is likely to be accepted within the majority group.
Define explicit prejudice.
Prejudice that is consciously held and usually deliberately thought about.
Define implicit prejudice.
Prejudice that is typically unconsciously held and not usually within the control of the person holding it.
What was the aim of Jane Elliot’s ‘Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes’ experiment?
To study the nature of prejudice and discrimination.
How were participants sourced in Jane Elliot’s experiment?
Participants were sourced from a classroom setting.
Was Jane Elliot’s experiment ethical?
No, it raised ethical concerns regarding the treatment of participants.
What can we learn from Jane Elliot’s study?
The experiment highlights the arbitrary nature of prejudice and its effects on individuals.
