Prejudice Flashcards
What’s the definition of stereotypes?
Beliefs about the attributes, characteristics, traits, or qualities of a group or group members
What’s the definition of prejudice?
An attitude (i.e evaluation) towards a group or a group message
- Like vs. dislike, favour vs. disfavour
- Usually negative (but not always)
e.g sexism, racism
Whats the definition of discrimination?
A behaviour (usually negative) aimed at a group or group members
- e.g denying employment; lynching
How is unequal status apart of the social sources of prejudice?
Unequal status (for whatever reason) -> prejudice develops
“system justification”
How is religion apart of the social sources of prejudice?
Leaders can use religion to justify social orders (within and between cultures)
-Church members more prejudiced then nonmembers
- Traditional/fundamental Christian believers express more prejudice
-Faithful/committed attenders less prejudice than occasional attenders
What is the crux of the issue for why religion can produce prejudice?
The crux of the issue lies in why the person is religious
What is the extrinsic motivator within religious prejudice?
Using religion as instrumental means for self-serving ends (social status, personal security)
As a “means to an end”
Often more prejudice
What is the intrinsic motivator within religious prejudice?
Pursues religion as an end in itself; master motive in life
Are intrinsically motivated people less prejudiced? How can it not be sometimes?
Individuals are less prejudice being opposed by religious groups (as most are) - it’s not their mission to be against a group
BUT…
More prejudice when “anti-group attitude” is supported by religion (e.g homeosexuals; blacks in South Africa among S.A church-goers)
What is religion as a quest?
Seeks to face religious issues (e.g mortality, meaning of life) in all their complexity, without pet answers
How does self-fulfilling prophecys influenced by prejudice?
Social beliefs can be self-confirming, in a cycle
- Perciever’s stereotypes influence his/her perceptions
- Perciever’s behaviour than elicits “expected” behaviour in the target
How are emotional sources a source of prejudice?
Frustration and Aggression (scapegoat theory)
- frustration (blocked goals) -> (displaced) aggression
- Scapegoating: talking frustrations out on the most convenient (though not necessarily correct) target (often an outgroup)
What are stereotypes accuracy?
Simplified social world (social cognition)
Useful, meaningful, fundamental (social identity)
What are the four reasons to doubt the notion of accuracy?
- Simultaneous incompatible stereotypes
- Positive vs. negative labelling of some behaviours (Depending on group)
- Stereotypes change (without change in target group)
- Applies to all members of group (no individual differences)
How can stereotypes become accurate?
Minorities often (not always) come to believe stereotypes about self (self-fulfilling prophecy)
Systematic oppression (e.g biased intelligence tests) –> “actual” differences
