1 Introduction to Psychology Class 23: Stereotypes Myers: See Aug 8, 2006

2 A Classic Study by Sherif & Sherif (1954)

3 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

4 How stereotypes form Social categorization - Cognitive miserliness Ingroup Outgroup - “Us vs. them” used to be adaptive Socio-cultural factors - Status quo, conflict

5 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

6 How are stereotypes perpetuated? Illusory Correlations E.g., Lawyers - Dishonest Fundamental Attribution Error E.g., “She is lazy because she is black” Sub-typing E.g., “She is not black! She’s Oprah!!” Confirmation bias and self-fulfilling prophecies

7 Is stereotyping inevitable? Automatic/Default - Priming EGGS – BACON BLACK – AGGRESSIVE OLD – SLOW Controlled/Effortful - Thought Suppression & Ironic Effects - Attention and motivation Not noticing irrelevant differences - “Colorblindness”

8 “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

9 Prejudice Why the negative attitude? - Realistic Conflict Theory - Social Identity Theory - Self-esteem maintenance

10 Discrimination Lynching to Affirmative Action Overt to Covert Tokenism Reverse discrimination Modern racism/sexism Rational racism

11 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?

12 2-dimensional approach Glick and Fiske (1995) Likeability and competence Paternalistic vs. Envious prejudice Low L High L Low CHigh C “Asian American” “White male” “White trash” “Hispanic woman”

13 The Contact Hypothesis Gordon Allport - Equal status - Personal interaction - Co-operative activities - Supportive social norms School desegregation Jigsaw classroom

14 From the target’s perspective Stereotype threat: Psychological disengagement: Burden of proof