stereotype activation and application Flashcards
what are basic social categories
information which is easily observable for categorisation e.g. gender and race
what is intersectionality
People belong to more than one basic categories at once
name 3 bottom up influences on categorisation
prototypicality
body cues
ambiguous faces
what is prototypicality
extent to which physical features match basic social category
what are body cues
body size and motion provide cues about group membership
what are ambiguous faces
when cues are ambiguous, categorisation is slower
what are top down influences on categorisation
Based on prior knowledge and expectations about interactions
name 3 types of top down influences on categorisation
stereotypes
situational influences
prejudiced attitudes
explain stereotypes
impressions of groups by associating groups with particular characteristics
explain situational influences
focus on what makes another person look “different” may shift across contexts
explain prejudiced attitudes
pay more attention to characteristics consistent with their stereotypical beliefs
name 4 origins of stereotypes
Parents
Peers
Media
Role models
what is social role theory
People observe the social roles others occupy
define correspondence bias
tendency to assume behaviours are due to personality, not external or situational factors
what are illusory correlations
Overestimate the relationship between two categories when undesirable information stands out
how does the media influence stereotypes
Exposes us to members of majority groups more than minority groups
The more media people are exposed to, the more they hold stereotypic beliefs
example of media influencing stereotypes
Women typically shown in the home and men typically shown in professional roles
define stereotype knowledge
Extent to which a person is familiar with the content of a stereotype
define stereotype endorsement
Extent to which someone personally believes societal stereotypes accurately describes a group
define stereotype activation
Extent to which a stereotype is accessible in one’s mind
define stereotype application
Extent to which one uses a stereotype to judge an individual
Can be inhibited if motivated enough for self-control
define automaticity
Activation of stereotypes follows categorisation
how does timing facilitate activation
when pressed for time we tend to rely on stereotypes
what are intersectional identities
People with intersectional identities are less likely to be recognised as a prototypical member of either identity
advantages of intersectional identities
Stereotypes that are not activated are not used
disadvantages of intersectional identities
People who are not seen are often not heard
People often more worries about experiencing discrimination
why is working memory important in stereotypes
Lack of space in working memory disrupts stereotype activation
Working memory has limited capacity
