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Introduction to PsychologyClass 23: Stereotypes
Myers: See email
Aug 8, 2006
2Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 10
WEBWEB
A Classic Study by Sherif & Sherif (1954)
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Definitions
• ABCs of the research• Stereotyping (C): A belief that
associates a group of people with certain traits
• Prejudice (A): Negative feelings based on these beliefs
• Discrimination (B): Any behavior directed against persons because of their membership in a particular group
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How stereotypes form
• Social categorization
- Cognitive miserliness
• Ingroup Outgroup
- “Us vs. them” used to be adaptive
• Socio-cultural factors
- Status quo, conflict
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The problem with stereotypes
• There is a kernel of truth
• Many inaccuracies
- Overgeneralization
- Emphasis on negative attributes
- Underestimate group variability
• Distortion of reality (Allport & Postman, 1947)
• Effects on minorities
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How are stereotypes perpetuated?
• Illusory CorrelationsE.g., Lawyers - Dishonest
• Fundamental Attribution Error
E.g., “She is lazy because she is black”
• Sub-typingE.g., “She is not black! She’s Oprah!!”
• Confirmation bias and self-fulfilling prophecies
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Is stereotyping inevitable?• Automatic/Default
- Priming
EGGS – BACON
BLACK – AGGRESSIVEOLD – SLOW
• Controlled/Effortful- Thought Suppression & Ironic Effects- Attention and motivation
• Not noticing irrelevant differences- “Colorblindness”
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“Good morning, boys and girls!”
• Becky Bigler - T-shirt studies
- Highlighting racial/gender differences
- Easy to create groups
• Jane Elliot
- Brown eye - blue eye study
- “Niggerlover” school teacher
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Prejudice
• Why the negative attitude?
- Realistic Conflict Theory
- Social Identity Theory
- Self-esteem maintenance
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Discrimination
• Lynching to Affirmative Action
• Overt to Covert
• Tokenism
• Reverse discrimination
• Modern racism/sexism
• Rational racism
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Modern Racism
• Could you fall in love with and marry a black person?
• Do you feel uneasy/surprise seeing an inter-racial couple?
• Do you believe black people are poor because they don’t use opportunities?
• Do you agree that it’s time blacks take responsibility for their own fate?
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2-dimensional approach• Glick and Fiske (1995)• Likeability and competence• Paternalistic vs. Envious prejudice
Low L
High L
Low C High C
“Asian American”
“White male”
“White trash”
“Hispanic woman”
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The Contact Hypothesis
• Gordon Allport- Equal status
- Personal interaction
- Co-operative activities
- Supportive social norms
• School desegregation
• Jigsaw classroom
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From the target’s perspective
• Stereotype threat: • Psychological disengagement:• Burden of proof