Write down your definition of Stereotype.

Sociocultural Cognition #4Explain the formation of stereotypes and their

effect on behaviour.

STEREOTYPE

A social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes A generalization about a group and then

attributed to members of that group Book definition on page 113

These stereotypes can be + or – Examples??

A form of social categorization which can affect behaviour

STEREOTYPE THREAT

Occurs when one is in a situation where there is a threat of being

judged or treated stereotypically , or a fear that

your actions will unintentionally confirm the stereotype

STEELE AND ARONSON (1995) 30 minute verbal, multiple choice, test

One group was told it was a “genuine test of their abilities”

African-Americans scored lower than whites A second group was told it was a lab task

used to study how certain problems are solved

African-Americans scored higher than the first group

African-American scores rose to the level of white students

Other studies corroborate these findingsConclusion

Stereotype threat can affect the members of just about any social or cultural group, if the members believe

that stereotype

SPOTLIGHT ANXIETY

Causes emotional distress and pressure that may undermine performance Steele (1997)

Spencer et al (1977) Stereotype: women are not as strong in

mathematics as men When given a difficult math test

women who were strong in math underperformed compared with equally qualified men

A literature test showed no disparity between the sexes

There was no stereotype threat about literature

HOW ARE STEREOTYPES FORMED?

Campbell (1967) Two sources of stereotypes

1. Personal experience with individuals and groups

2. Gatekeepers: media, parents, and other members of our culture

Campbell argues that stereotypes have a basis in some reality The “grain of truth” hypothesis

What are some problems with this hypothesis?? Attribution errors are common

ILLUSORY CORRELATION

Hamilton & Gifford (1976) People see a relationship b/n two

variables even when there is none For example, women’s inferior ability in

math Researchers say that illusory

correlation is an example of “cognitive bias” A person’s tendency to make errors in

judgment based on cognitive factors (ie, attribution errors)

CONFIRMATION BIAS

Once illusory correlations are made people tend to seek out or remember information that supports the relationship

People tend to overlook information that contradicts what they already believe

SNYDER & SWANN (1978)

Had female college students create a set of questions to ask a person One group was told the person they would ask

was an introvert The other group, an extrovert

The questions they prepared confirmed their perceptions of who they were to meet Examples: introvert: “What do you dislike

about parties?”; extrovert: “What do you do to liven up a party?”

OTHER MEANS OF CREATING STEREOTYPES

Taking on the in-groups ideas Individuals may conform to the group

norms in regards to the out-groups Rogers & Frantz (1962)

White immigrants to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe today) developed more stereotypes about the locals the longer they stayed

They adopted the social representations of the dominant group

JANE ELLIOTT

Elliott in the 1960’s decided to tackle the problem of stereotypes, prejudice, & discrimination

A Class Divided