Lecture 3- Stereotypes 2 and 3 Flashcards
What is stereotype activation?
The degree to which stereotypes are accessible/salient in the mind
What is stereotype application?
The actual use of activated stereotypes
What is one way to measure stereotype activation?
The lexical decision task- we decide whether stimuli syllables are nonsense words or real words, with the “real words” relating to stereotypes
How can stereotypes be helpful?
They help us with decisions and cognitive load. This was proven by Macrave et al
What is system justification theory?
People want to believe that the system of the world (including inequalities) are fair and legitimate. This can even occur for disadvantaged groups
How can our stereotypes affect our perception of stereotypes?
Stereotypes may bias the information we seek, in a way that confirms the stereotype
What is ultimate attribution error?
Negative/stereotypic behaviours are attributed to disposition, while positive/counte-rsterotpic behaviours are attributed to siyuation
What is the idea of stereotypes creating a self-fulfilling prophecy?
stereotypic expectations lead us to behave in a way that encourages stereotype-consistent behaviour in the outgroup, this further confirming our expectations.
What evidence is there that social categorisation is automatic?
We like to cognitively simplify things by nature, so we use the aid of categories, and since we use this categorisation so much, it should be automatic
What evidence is there that social categorisation is not automatic?
If social categorisation is meant to simplify our social world/make things easier, then it shouldn’t occur if it is not needed or relevant. So categorisation should be goal-dependent
What factors do some suggest need to be present for stereotypic activation (suggesting it is not automatic)
When we have sufficient cognitive resources, we have high levels of prejudice, if the activation helps us maintain a positive sense of self
What is stereotype threat?
The concern experienced by a person that there is a possibility that they must act in a way consistent with negative stereotypes.
What are two ways to reduce stereotype threat?
Reframing the stereotypes
de-emphasising the threatened social identity/domain with the sterotype-countertypical behaviour
