Stereotype development

Question 1

Define stereotypes

Answer 1

Stereotypes are widely held generalizations about a group of people

Question 2

How are stereotypes formed?

Answer 2

Use the claims of schema theory
- Schema theory argues that we organize information in our mind by unconsciously creating categories to save cognitive energy.
- allow us to make generalizations about people, places and things = easier to understand and make sense of new information.

The out-group homogeneity effect is a hypothesis that claims members of in-groups will perceive members of their own group as being more diverse than an out-group and they will perceive out-group members as being more similar to one another. It becomes easier to create that generalization and fom stereotypes.

If we combine this with social identity theory, we can see how negative stereotypes of out-groups could be formed: **we want to view out-groups as inferior **in some way to boost our own self-esteem by comparing that inferior group with our superior in-group.

Question 3

Aim of Hamilton and Gifford?

Answer 3

To investigate illusory correlation as an explanation for stereotype formation

Question 4

Method of Hamilton and Gifford?

Answer 4

• 70 American undergraduates (35 males, 35 females)
  
  • Participants were shown a series of slides, each with a statement (pos or neg) about a member of one of two groups simply called A and B
  • There were twice as many people in group A than group B, so group B was the minority group (Participants were aware before starting experiment)
  • Each group had the same proportion of positive and negative comments
  • Participants were then asked to rank members of each group on a series of 20 traits - for example, popular, social, intelligent.
  • Another statement is given to the participants and they were asked which group this person was from
  • Finally they were asked how many of the statements for each group had been “undesirable”

Question 5

Findings of Hamilton and Gifford?

Answer 5

• On the trait ratings, group A was ranked higher than group B for positive traits and lower for negative traits.
  
  • In the booklet, participants correctly recalled more positive traits for group A (74%) than for group B (54%) and more negative traits for group B (65%) than for group A (55%)
  • Participants overestimated the number of negative traits in the minority group, but this finding was not significant.

Question 6

Conclusion of Hamilton and Gifford?

Answer 6

• the minority group was by nature smaller in number, their negative behaviours appeared more distinct and appear to be representative of the group.
  This demonstrates why negative stereotypes may be more common for minority groups than for the majority.