Explain the Formation of Stereotypes and Their Effect on Behaviour By Mr Daniel Hansson

Questions for discussion 1.Take the implicit association test at 2.Which groups of people do you hold stereotypes of? 3.Select three or four groups of people about whom you tend to hold stereotypes, and list the adjectives you might use to describe these groups. 4.Where do you think your stereotypes come from? 5.Are stereotypes always harmful? Can they be useful? 6.Who is more likely to be stereotyped in a society? 7.Think of some instances when others have stereotyped you. Why do you think this happened? 8.How did you feel when you thought you were being stereotyped?

What is a stereotype?  A schema or set of beliefs or expectations about a person based on his group membership.

Explanations of stereotyping  Schematic processing  Illusory correlation  Social identity theory

Illusory correlation  Illusory correlation: A behaviour is linked to a particular group although it bears little or no relationship with that particular group. E.g. women’s math ability  When two rare events occur at the same time, they are more likely to be perceived as related (e.g and The End of the World, Friday 13 th and bad luck, Full moon and insanity, minority groups and criminal behaviour)  Once illusory correlations are made, people tend to overlook information that contradicts what they already believe and pay attention to behaviours that confirm what they believe (confirmation bias)

Social identity theory  We naturally categorize other people into in groups and out groups  It is an automatic, unconscious process

Effect on behaviour: Stereotype threat  Occurs when a person who is exposed to a stereotype is negatively affected in her performance  Stereotype threats turns on spotlight anxiety, which causes emotional distress and pressure that may undermine performance

Supporting research  Stereotyping: Karlins (1969), Martin & Halvarson  Illusory correlation: Hamilton & Gifford (1976)  Social identity theory: Rogers & Frantz (1962)  Stereotype threat: Steele & Aronson (1995)