W4: Stereotype, Prejudice, & Discrimination

Question 1

Define stereotype.

Answer 1

Beliefs that associate a whole group of people with certain traits or characteristics (cognitive).

Question 2

Define prejudice.

Answer 2

Negative feelings toward others because of their membership in certain groups (affective).

Question 3

Define discrimination.

Answer 3

Behaviour that is directed against persons because of their membership in a particular group (behavioural).

Question 4

What is implicit racism?

Answer 4

Racism that operates unconsciously and unintentionally.

Question 5

Can you measure implicit racism by explicit measures of attitudes?

Answer 5

No.

Question 6

How do we measure implicit racism?

Answer 6

Subtle, indirect measures.

Question 7

What is social categorisation?

Answer 7

The classification of persons into groups on the basis of common attributes.

Question 8

What are the features of social categorisation?

Answer 8

Natural and adaptive.

Question 9

Define in-group.

Answer 9

Groups with which an individual identifies.

Question 10

Define out-group.

Answer 10

Groups with which an individual does not identify

Question 11

What is the consequence of social categorisation?

Answer 11

Exaggerates differences between ingroups and other outgroups.

Question 12

What is the outgroup homogeneity effect?

Answer 12

The tendency to assume that members of outgroups are ‘all alike’ whereas members of ingroups have differences.

Question 13

Explain social identity theory.

Answer 13

A person’s self-esteem is derived from personal identity and social identities.

Question 14

What are the consequences of social identity theory?

Answer 14

People are motivated to boost the status and fortunes of in-groups and their members as a way to maintain or increase self-esteem. Threats to self-esteem heighten the need for in-group favouritism, which enhances self-esteem.

Question 15

What experiment confirms the in-group favouritism phenomena when self-esteem is threatened?

Answer 15

Fein & Spencer (1997). Threats to one’s self-esteem can lead individuals to use available negative stereotypes to derogate members of stereotyped groups, and that by derogating others, they feel better about themselves.

Question 16

What is the minimal group paradigm?

Answer 16

A methodology to demonstrate in-group favouritism even when grouping is arbitrary: participants perform a trivial task and are divided into two groups that they perceive to be based on their responses but in reality, is done randomly.

Question 17

What does the minimal group paradigm show?

Answer 17

People show in-group favouritism and/or out-group derogation even when their memberships are not meaningful.

Question 18

How is this shown in Tajfel et al. (1971) i.e. the coin experiment?

Answer 18

Participants maximize the relative gains for their in-group than the absolute gains.

Question 19

What is socialization?

Answer 19

The process by which people learn about the norms, rules, and information of a culture or a group. This may include stereotypes (cognitive) and prejudices (affective).

Question 20

What are some sources of socialization?

Answer 20

Parents, peers, and popular media.

Question 21

What is automatic stereotype activation?

Answer 21

This theory states that just being aware of stereotypes in one’s culture is enough to influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

Question 22

How are stereotypes activated?

Answer 22

Implicitly automatically activated by situational cues.

Question 23

What is the consequence of stereotype activation?

Answer 23

Attitudes and behaviours can be changed even if one does not believe in it i.e. without internalisation.

Question 24

Define intergroup contact.

Answer 24

Direct contact between hostile groups will reduce intergroup prejudice under certain conditions.

Question 25

What are the four conditions ideal for intergroup contact to serve as a treatment for racism?

Answer 25

1. Equal status: circumstances that give the two groups equal status.
2. Personal interaction: 1-1 interactions among individual members of the two groups.
3. Cooperative activities: members of the groups should join together to achieve superordinate goals.
4. Social norms: social norms should favour intergroup contact.

Question 26

How can intergroup contact reduce prejudice?

Answer 26

Enhancing K about the group, reducing anxiety about intergroup contact, and increasing empathy/perspective-taking.