origin of stereotypes: where do they come from? socio-cultural perspective kernel of truth...

Origin of Stereotypes:Where do they come

from?

Socio-cultural perspective

Kernel of truth hypothesis

Illusory correlations

Socio-Cultural Perspective

Premise: Individuals are socialized into a particular culture

(e.g., media or significant others)


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


Two versions of socio-cultural view:

Structuralist-Functionalist

Conflict theory

Structuralist-Functionalist Version

A single culture accepted

throughout a society

Structuralist-Functionalist Version

Function of stereotypes:

communicate expected behavior

communicate how different people should be treated

Conflict Theory Version

Multiple subcultures within society

People accept norms of their subculture


People within a subculture are similar

People in different subcultures are different

Differences between subcultures creates conflict


Function of stereotypes:

justify prejudice

Kernel of Truth Hypothesis

Premise: Stereotypes are exaggerations that exist in some measure in a group


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


2. Stereotypes become more accurate as contact between groups increases


3. Behaviors punished in one group but not in another tend to be in a stereotype


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 biasesrecall consistent information better

Models of Stereotype Change

Bookkeeping Model

Conversion Model

Subtyping Model

Bookkeeping Model

Each 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

Large/salient instances of inconsistent information change the stereotype

Conversion Model

Prediction

Concentrated inconsistent

information leads to more stereotype

change

Subtyping Model

Typical instances of inconsistent information change the stereotype

Rare 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: Given information about

lawyers

Rated each lawyer on stereotypic traits

Manipulations

Group size: 6 members 30 members

Dispersion: DispersedConcentrated



Manipulations

Amount: Small: 6 inconsistent traits

Large: 30 inconsistent traits

Pattern: Dispersed

Concentrated



Predictions

More stereotype change when inconsistent information is:

large (bookkeeping)

concentrated (conversion)

dispersed (subtyping)





3

4

5

6

7

8

Small Large

Amount

Ste

reot

ype

Chan

ge



3

4

5

6

7

8

Dispersed Concentrated

Pattern

Ste

reot

ype

Cha

nge

Stereotype Maintenance

Subtyping ModelSubtypes maintain stereotypes

Cognitive BiasesBetter recall of stereotype-consistent information

Confirmation bias

Recall StudyCohen (1981)

Procedures

Video of a librarian

Attributes did and did not match the stereotype

Recalled target’s attributes

60%

65%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

Consistent

I nformation

I nconsistent

I nformation

% r

eca

lled c

orr

ect

lyRecall StudyCohen (1981)

Confirmation Biases in Hypothesis Testing

Search for information that confirms one’s

beliefs

Introverted-Extroverted Studies

Snyder & Colleagues

Introverted:“What factors make it hard for you to really open up to people?”

Extroverted:“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

origin of stereotypes: where do they come from? socio-cultural perspective kernel of truth...

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