Prejudice Flashcards
Prejudice Definition
Biased stories towards a group or group member based on generalizations of this group.
Assumptions about abilities, characteristics and aspirations as well as personality traits based on race, gender, ethnicity or age. Assumptions and stereotypes can be argued as not being prejudice but rather just misinterpretations or misjudgements. Socially undesirable but still occurs often. Makes it hard to measure as people will not be honest. A good relationship is thought to be a result of similarity which explains why people discriminate against those who differ from themselves.
Stereotypes
Specific beliefs about members of another group which can be positive or negative and often occur following an experience with an individual of this group.
Discrimination
Actions or behaviour towards a group based on group identity and usually negative.
Components of Prejudice
Allport.
Cognitive: beliefs involved
Affective: the strong feelings and qualities it is believed to have
Behavioural: intentions to behave in certain way
Racism
Responsible for many major historical events such as war and mass inhumanity. Used as explanation for knife crime and political issues however this could be an easy way out.
Sometimes argued it is declining but could also just be a case of renaming as now has multiple labels such as adverse racism.
Ageism
Usually comes from youth towards older generation. Follows similarity theory as different generations are very different. People are discriminated against for their age and biggest way is over accommodation such as young people talking loudly or slowly and presuming a lack of ability of older people. Seen on TV in contrast between old and young people.
Sexism
Discrimination due to gender. Argued to be changing due to women’s rights and more women in House of Commons etc but still exists such as pay gap.
In Group vs Out Group
People align with their own group and interactions with other groups based on stereotypes such as over accommodation of older people by younger generation.
Cognitive Misers
Bodenhaused, 1990.
If a person’s motivation or ability to process information is systematically limited then they rely more on stereotypes.
Cognitive Fallacy
Incorrect belief two events occurring together is more probable than one occurring alone.
Needs / Traits which affect Stereotyping
Structure: a preference for structure leads to more stereotype use as it removes uncertainty.
Cognitive Closure: preference for cognitive closure leads to remembering more stereotype based information.
Attitude vs Prejudice - STUDY
Forgas, 1983.
Found students viewed engineers as: drink a lot, dress conservatively and play sports. Is this prejudice? Does it affect social interaction? Unlikely but possible.
Intention vs Behaviour - STUDY
LaPiere, 1934.
US with Chinese American couple. At time attitudes towards hem were very negative. 250 restaurants, 0.4% refused service. Contacted 128 of them after and 92% claimed they would refuse service. Shows difference.
Sexism - STUDIES
Fisk, 1988.
Stereotypes of men and women looking at roles in society. Men and women believed to behave differently. Reflection of actual differences or image of gender in society?
Ancher et al, 1983. Found cameras on TV focus on men’s faces and women’s bodies more. Could be argued this is now changing.
Racism - STUDIES
Rogues & Prentice-Dunn, 1981.
Electric shock study. Gave more when insulted but only to African American participants. More aggression.
Implicit Association Test: shown pictures of black and white people. More likely to label white as good than black. Limit: familiarity theory - more trusting of someone who looks familiar. Supported as people took longer to answer when looking at unfamiliar faces.
