Origin of Stereotypes: Where do they come from? Socio-cultural perspective Kernel of truth hypothesis Illusory correlations

Socio-Cultural Perspective nPremise: Individuals are socialized into a particular culture (e.g., media or significant others)

Socio-Cultural Perspective 1. People are born into a culture 2. People are rewarded/punished for their beliefs, values, behaviors 3. People act in accord with norms 4. People internalize norms 5. Internalization perpetuates the norms

Socio-Cultural Perspective Two versions of socio-cultural view: l Structuralist-Functionalist l Conflict theory

Structuralist- Functionalist Version A single culture accepted throughout a society

Structuralist- Functionalist Version Function of stereotypes: l communicate expected behavior l communicate how different people should be treated

Conflict Theory Version Multiple subcultures within society People accept norms of their subculture

Conflict Theory Version People within a subculture are similar People in different subcultures are different Differences between subcultures creates conflict

Conflict Theory Version Function of stereotypes: njustify prejudice

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis nPremise: Stereotypes are exaggerations that exist in some measure in a group

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis 1. The larger a real difference between groups, the more likely the attribute will be in the stereotype

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis 2. Stereotypes become more accurate as contact between groups increases

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis 3. Behaviors punished in one group but not in another tend to be in a stereotype

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis 4. Similar behaviors performed in different situations tend to be in stereotypes, but differ in favorableness We are loyal - They are clannish We are brave – They are aggressive We are thrifty – They are cheap

Kernel of Truth are not veridical are exaggerated are not genetic Perceived differences…

Illusory Correlations Perceive stronger relationship between two variables than actually exists

Illusory Correlations Associate group with attribute Cognitive biases “corroborate” the perceived association  confirmation biases  recall consistent information better

Models of Stereotype Change Bookkeeping Model Conversion Model Subtyping Model

Bookkeeping Model nEach instance of inconsistent information changes the stereotype Single instance = small change Accumulation = large change

Bookkeeping Model Prediction More inconsistent information leads to greater stereotype change

Conversion Model nLarge/salient instances of inconsistent information change the stereotype

Conversion Model Prediction Concentrated inconsistent information leads to more stereotype change

Subtyping Model nTypical instances of inconsistent information change the stereotype nRare instances of inconsistent information lead to subtypes

Subtyping Model Prediction Dispersed inconsistent information leads to more stereotype change

Stereotype Change Study Weber & Crocker (1983) Purpose: Tested the three models of stereotype change Procedure: l Given information about lawyers l Rated each lawyer on stereotypic traits

Manipulations Group size:  6 members  30 members Dispersion:  Dispersed  Concentrated Stereotype Change Study Weber & Crocker (1983)

Manipulations Amount:  Small: 6 inconsistent traits  Large: 30 inconsistent traits Pattern:  Dispersed  Concentrated Stereotype Change Study Weber & Crocker (1983)

Predictions More stereotype change when inconsistent information is: l large (bookkeeping) l concentrated (conversion) l dispersed (subtyping) Stereotype Change Study Weber & Crocker (1983)

Stereotype Maintenance Subtyping Model sSubtypes maintain stereotypes Cognitive Biases sBetter recall of stereotype-consistent information sConfirmation bias

Recall Study Cohen (1981) Procedures Video of a librarian Attributes did and did not match the stereotype Recalled target’s attributes

% recalled correctly Recall Study Cohen (1981)

Confirmation Biases in Hypothesis Testing Search for information that confirms one’s beliefs

Introverted- Extroverted Studies Snyder & Colleagues nIntroverted: “What factors make it hard for you to really open up to people?” nExtroverted: “What kind of situations do you seek out if you want to meet new people?”

Results Participants asked questions that that elicited confirming behavior from partner Introverted-Extroverted Studies Snyder & Colleagues