Chapter 5 Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Defining Important Terms Racism: Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s background Sexism: Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s gender Stereotypes: Beliefs that associate a whole group of people with certain traits. Prejudice: Negative feelings about others because of their connection to a social group. Discrimination: Negative behaviors directed against persons because of their membership in a particular group.

Persistence and Change In general, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination are less acceptable than ever before. But exceptions do exist.

Types of Racism Modern Racism: A form of racism that surfaces in subtle ways when it is safe, socially acceptable, and easy to rationalize Implicit Racism: Racism that operates unconsciously and unintentionally

Sexism: Ambivalence and Double Standards Blatant displays of sexism are less socially acceptable than in the past – But do continue to persist today Gender stereotypes are distinct in that they are not only descriptive, but also prescriptive – They tell people what they should do or be

Ambivalent Sexism Form of sexism characterized by attitudes about women that reflect both negative, resentful beliefs/feelings as well as affectionate and chivalrous but potentially patronizing beliefs/feelings – Hostile sexism – Benevolent sexism Seems to have diminished over time, but discrimination based on sex is still prevalent today

Stereotype Threat Stereotype threat is the fear that one will be reduced to a stereotype in the eyes of others. How can stereotype threat hamper academic achievement? – The reactions to the threat can directly interfere with performance. – The threat can cause individuals to dismiss the domain as no longer relevant to their self-esteem and identity.

Ingroups vs. Outgroups Strong tendency to divide people into ingroups and outgroups. Consequences – Exaggerate differences between ingroups and other outgroups – Outgroup homogeneity effect New research indicates that perceivers may actually process faces of outgroup members more like objects than fellow human beings Dehumanization has played a role in atrocities throughout history

Social Identity Theory Two Basic Predictions: – Threats to one’s self-esteem heighten the need for ingroup favoritism. – Expressions of ingroup favoritism enhance one’s self-esteem.

Confirmation Biases and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies Stereotypes are often maintained and strengthened through confirmation biases. – Tendency to interpret, seek, and create information to confirm expectations Stereotypes can cause a perceiver to act in such a way that the stereotyped group member really does behave in a stereotype- confirming way. – The stereotype creates a “self-fulfilling prophecy.”

How Stereotypes Survive and Self-Perpetuate Illusory correlation: The tendency for people to overestimate the link between variables that are only slightly or not at all correlated. Tend to overestimate the association between variables when: – The variables are distinctive – The variables are already expected to go together