Diversity 2

Question 1

Social Categorization

Answer 1

Part of social cognition. Helps us understand our social world through relation to other things whether something is equivalent or different from something else. Gives us self reference understanding our place within society

Question 2

Ingroup bias

Answer 2

Our membership to groups provide us with definition in society. Parameters used to form groups become basis of discrimination.

Social comparison theory: we compare ourselves to others when we want to improve or when we feel bad about ourselves and want to feel better

Social identification theory: discrimination against the other group makes our group have more resources and therefore makes us feel better since we identify with the group with better resources

Discrimination comes from the need to have a positive self evaluation

Question 3

Out Group homogeneity

Answer 3

Assumption that all persons of the outgroup are alike so if we know something about one member then we know something about all out group members. Tendency to see outgroup as distinctively different from yourself and ingroup as similar.
- accentuation: exaggerating differences between categories and minimizing differences within categories
-out group homogeneity effect: recognize individual differences in the in group but not outgroup

Question 4

Failure of Logic

Answer 4

We do not apply objectivity when our prejudicial attitudes are salient because we attend to information consistent with our notions of the target (schematic processing). Logical arguments do not often counter emotions. Prejudice helps us organize how we process information with schematic processing. It simplifies our processing demands but can prevent us from seeing people as they really are

Question 5

Automatic and controlled processing

Answer 5

We hold onto stereotypes that reflect the beliefs of our culture and most times are not consciously aware. Automatic processing occurs without intention, effort, awareness and interference with other cognitive processes. Controlled processing requires a lot of effort.

Question 6

The Illusory Correlation

Answer 6

When you think two things are related when you have no evidence that they really are. Created by limited experience and media bias. Mass media plays a role in shaping collective identities by typecasting certain groups creating false correlation between ethnic groups and stereotypes.

Question 7

Attribution Bias

Answer 7

Attribute a persons actions to their group membership

Fundamental attribution error: the tendency to explain another person’s behavior due to some personality trait about the person and not as a result of something about the situation

Ultimate attribution error: we attribute negative outgroup behavior to dispositional causes and positive things to luck or a fluke. Dispositional attribution about an entire group

Question 8

Economic competition

Answer 8

Competition for scarce resources, political power and social status can facilitate conflict and prejudice

Realistic conflict theory: Limited resources lead to conflict among groups and result in prejudice and discrimination

Economic discrimination: systematic favoritism of certain groups by public authorities when it comes to things like hiring practices, bias in policies,investment decisions etc

Question 9

Name 4 main findings of Quillian and Pager 2010 (Estimating Risk: Stereotype Amplification and the Perceived Risk of Criminal Victimization

Answer 9

• people have a tendency to overestimate their risk of being a victim of crime
• perceptions of burglary and robbery risk are strongly triggered by the presence of racial minorities particularly African Americans in the local area
• strong association between race and crime do not correspond to actual risk
• white Americans overestimate their risk for criminal victimization >twice as much for black dominated neighborhoods than for white neighborhoods

Question 10

What are the 3 shared similar characteristics amplification of perceived risks is likely to occur for?

Answer 10

Risk event strongly tied to public understanding of stereotypes or social groups

Social categories linked to stereotypes are highly visible in the context in which risks are evaluated

Low specific knowledge and personal experience with the risk events

Question 11

What are some consequences of risk amplification (Quillian Pager 2010)?

Answer 11

May contribute to racial disparities in decisions to rent an apartment, authorize a loan or make an arrest

Question 12

Inter group Anxiety

Answer 12

Cognitive worry and physiological anxiety/arousal people feel when interacting with persons of the outgroup

Affective Component: apprehensive, distressed, uneasy

Cognitive Component: evaluation that intergroup interactions will have negative consequences (negatively evaluated by outgroup, ingroup would disapprove)

Physiological component: naturally associated with inter group interactions

Question 13

Reactions of Stigmatized Groups

Answer 13

Persons perceived as targets of discrimination have higher self esteem, than groups who rarely experience discrimination through the use of cognitive strategies
- attribute prejudice to social identity rather than something internal and unique to the individual
-change the comparative other (compare themselves to members of their own group instead of outgroup)
- devalue characteristics being used to place the, in disadvantaged position