Social Psychology L9

Question 1

Define prejudice.

Answer 1

“The holding of derogatory attitudes or beliefs, the expression of negative affect or the display of hostile or discriminatory behavior towards members of a group on account of their membership in that group.” (Brown and Lepore, 1996)

Question 2

Is prejudice a function of low intelligence?

Answer 2

No. All though people from low socioeconomic backgrounds tend to be more blunt about their prejudices

Question 3

Describe the Authoritarian Personality type.

Answer 3

Adorno et al (1950), being overly deferential to those in authority whilst overly hostile to those perceived as inferior.
Possess a black and white value system.

Question 4

According do Adorno et al (1950), where does the authoritarian personality type originate?

Answer 4

From harsh, demanding and authoritarian parenting styles which stifle a child’s basic instincts. Aggression is then displaced onto minority groups while total submitting to authority.

Question 5

Describe the Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT).

Answer 5

That attitudes reflect the objective interests of the ingroup

It is the conflict for resources rather than a personality characteristic that causes prejudice

Question 6

What are the two assumptions of the Realist Conflict Theory?

Answer 6

1. If the interests of the two groups coincide, then the relations between the groups will be harmonious
2. If there is a conflict of interest, then the relations between the groups will be hostile.

Question 7

Which piece of experimental evidence supports the Realistic Conflict Theory?

Answer 7

Sherif’s field experiments (1966)

Question 8

Describe Sherif’s field experiments. (1966)

Answer 8

Stage 1: healthy, stable 12 year old boys sent on a camp. First week spent doing typical outdoor camp things. Group hierarchy (ie leaders and status) emerged.
Stage 2: Boys split into two groups. Competitions held with prizes for the winners and nothing for the losers. Intense competitive behavior emerged. Fighting, flag burning, name calling etc… “wicked disturbed and viscious” i.e. lord of the flies.

Question 9

What is the key concept in Sherif’s field experiments?

Answer 9

That competition drives prejudiced behavior, thereby supporting the RCT.

Question 10

Describe the Minimal Group Paradigm (MGP)

Answer 10

Tajfel, et al, 1971. Assigned participants to groups on an arbitrary (near random) basis. Then asked them (with no acquaintance with anyone in their own group or the other group) to divy up limited resources to a random member of the ingroup and a random member of the outgroup. Everytime, participants give more resource to someone from the ingroup.

Question 11

What is the key insight in the Minimal Group Paradigm (MGP)?

Answer 11

The simple act of belonging to a group, no matter how arbitrary or random the group distinctions are, results in prejudice.

Question 12

When leaders are openly prejudiced…

Answer 12

it leads to an increase in prejudice in people.

Question 13

What are the three (theorized) sources of prejudice?

Answer 13

1. Authoritarian Personality Type
2. Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)
3. Minimal Group Paradigm (MGP)