Unit 1 - LAA2 - In-Groups & Out-Groups Flashcards
What is meant by social categorisation?
when people split into different social groups based on shared characteristics
What is the key term for people splitting into different groups based on shared characteristics
social categorisation
What type of shared characteristics might people group themselves on?
age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion
What is an in group?
a group that you belong to based on shared characteristics
What is an out group?
a group that is different to your group based on differencing characteristics
What happens when in and outgroups are created?
schemas (ideas/beliefs) are generated which creates expectations of the other groups behaviour
What do we use schemas (ideas/beliefs) for after in and outgroups are created?
we use them to create assumptions about the people who belong to that group
How can the assumptions about in and outgroups be negative?
it can create hostility between the two groups
Overall, what does categorisation lead to?
it leads to superficial judgements about the groups and influences your behaviour towards them.
What is a stereotype?
A fixed belief that is an overgeneralisation about a group of people
What is the key term for a fixed belief that is an overgeneralisation about a group of people?
a stereotype
Can a stereotype only be negative?
No they can also be positive
What types of stereotypes can you have?
Positive and Negative stereotypes
What are the dangers of stereotypes?
They influence our belief and behaviour towards different groups of people
How can stereotypes be positive?
it can act as a mental shortcut to navigate new/dangerous situations
What can stereotypes lead to?
Prejudice and Discrimination
What two ways do stereotypes form?
Social categorisation and social learning theory
How do stereotypes form from social categorisation?
by outlining in and out groups, stereotypes get reinforced by fellow members
How do stereotypes form from social learning theory?
We learn the stereotypes by observing the behaviour of role models
What is social learning theory?
the observation and imitation of the behaviour of a role model i.e., celebrity, family member or member of a group
What is vicarious reinforcement?
When we observe a role model being praised for behaviour, we want to repeat the behaviour to seek the same reward
How can we see vicarious reinforcement with stereotypes?
if a child hears a parent telling racist joke, they may enjoy their reaction (laughing) in which the parent received vicarious reinforcement (they are encouraged to repeat the behaviour)
What is meant by prejudice?
a feeling/attitude (usually negative) towards a person based on their perceived group membership not based on facts
What is meant by discrimination?
the unjust or prejudicial treatment/action towards different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.
What is the often the result of social categorisation and social learning theory?
observation and imitation of stereotypes
What is the common stereotype about people in hoodies?
that they are young, criminal, shady etc
How might a negative stereotype of a young person in a hoodie influence a persons behaviour?
Might act more submissive or more aggressive in fear of violence from the young person
Why are stereotypes and in/outgroup behaviour important in our understanding of social categorisation?
we can use it to explain phenomena like football hooliganism, riot behaviour etc.
What can we use social categorisation to explain?
football hooliganism, group behaviour, riot behaviour, bystander effect etc.
What has in and out group behaviour been linked too?
prejudice and discrimination in society, such as racism and sexism.
