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Introduction to PsychologyClass 23: Stereotypes

Myers: See email

Aug 8, 2006

2Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 10

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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