Improving intergroup relations

Question 1

What is correcting stereotype-based judgements?

Answer 1

we can correct stereotypes based judgements after the fact but requires several things:
- acknowledging our biases/ that our judgements may have been affected by stereotypes
- time and motivation
- make a conscious effort to avoid being influenced by them
- need to consider ego-depletion

Question 2

What is training away bias?

Answer 2

• can we intentionally activate counter-stereotypic information?
• Blair, Ma and Lenton (2001) asked students to generate images of strong women
• led to diminished stereotyping of women as ‘weak’ on subsequent implicit measures
• cognitive retraining approach for reducing stereotype application- motivated self regulation approach

Question 3

What is the key research in training away bias?

Answer 3

Blair, Ma and Lenton 2001

Question 4

What is seeking evidence to confirm the stereotype?

Answer 4

• confirmation bias= search for, interpret, favour and recall information in a way that confirms ones pre-existing beliefs
• stereotypes shape our interpretations of peoples behaviour
• self fufilling prophecy

Question 5

What is just world hypothesis?

Answer 5

-group stereotypes- slow to change
- also believe that people get what they deserve (Lerner, 1965)
- people will rationalise an inexplicable injustice by naming things the victim might have done to deserve it
-people who believe in a just world feel little sympathy for people who go through traumatic experiences
- people who believe in a just world blame victims, e.g. violence

Question 6

What are the stratergies for improving intergroup relations?

Answer 6

• tokenism and affirmative action
• affirmative action
  -positive feedback bias
  -intergroup contact
  -extended contact
  -imagined contact
  -mental suppression

Question 7

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is tokenism and affirmative action?

Answer 7

• small gestures to help individual members of disadvantaged groups
• people are seen as less competent if they were hired under an affirmative action policy (Heilman et al 1992)
• “quotas” mean that people may make little effort to combat discrimination in other ways

Question 8

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is positive feedback bias?

Answer 8

• teachers make work more high and less critically if they think it is from a minority group (Harber 1998)
• bias can be harmful

Question 9

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in tokenism and affirmative action?

Answer 9

• Heilman et al 1992

Question 10

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in positive feedback bias?

Answer 10

Harber 1998

Question 11

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is intergroup contact?

Answer 11

-contact theory- bringing together members of opposing groups should improve intergroup relations
- optimal conditions (Allport 1954)
1. equality of status
2. common goals
3. inter group co operation
4. support of authorities
- contact works even when all conditions are not met (Pettigrew and troop 2006)

Question 12

In stratergies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in intergroup contact?

Answer 12

• Allport 1954
• Pettigrew & Troop 2006

Question 13

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is Realistic contact theory in intergroup contact?

Answer 13

-Sheriff, 1954, 1958, 1961
- intergroup conflict is outcome of a conflict of interests between an in group and an out group
- negative prejudices, and stereotypes are the result of competition between groups for desired resources
- conflict of interest generates negative attitudes and behaviours towards other group members

Question 14

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is Robbers cave experiment in intergroup contact?

Answer 14

-Sherif 1961
- field study attempting to better understand causes and consequences of intergroup conflicts
-pps: 12 year old boys-strangers, similiar education level and similiar sociocultural backgrounds
- group formation: arrived in two separate groups
- reducing conflict: sub-ordinate goals- both groups needed for task to succeed

Question 15

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is extended contact?

Answer 15

• virtual or vicarious contact- Wright et al 1997
• people are less prejudiced if they are friends with people who have outgroup friends

Question 16

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in extended contact?

Answer 16

Wright et al 1997

Question 17

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is imagined contact?

Answer 17

• prejudiced can be temporarily reduced by imagining a positive episode with an outgroup member (Crisp & Turner 2009)
• but can amplify pre-existing tensions and negative associations unless positive aspects are included ( West et al 2011)
• generally, contact seems to work but remember limitations of lab approaches

Question 18

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in imagined contact?

Answer 18

• Crisp & Turner 2009
• West et al 2011

Question 19

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is mental suppression?

Answer 19

• people may try to overcome the effects of stereotyping and prejudice by suppressing stereotypic thoughts
• intrinsic motivation to suppress prejudice may be effective
• people who are motivated to suppress prejudice feel emotions if they dont live up to the standards- less prejudice (Plant & Devine 1998
• the more people suppress prejudice over time, the more their feelings help them control prejudice (Monteith et al 2002)- guilt, self reflection

Question 20

In strategies for improving intergroup relations, what is the key research in mental suppression?

Answer 20

• Plant & Devine 1998
• Monteith et al 2002

Question 21

What is suppressing unwanted stereotypic thoughts?

Answer 21

• suppressing unwanted stereotypic thoughts can be successful, but only in short term
• conclusion: people can suppress stereotypes in short run, but suppression of stereotypes can lead to a rebound effect
• Macrae et al. 1994

Question 22

What is barriers to stereotype change?

Answer 22

• stereotypes are resistent to change
• seeing stereotype- inconsistent behaviour by a group member doesnt lead to stereotype change
• inconsistent information may be compartmentalized - linked to subtype of social group

Question 23

What is confirmation bias defined as?

Answer 23

search for, interpret, favour and recall info in a way that confirms ones pre-existing belief

Question 24

What is just world hypothesis defined as?

Answer 24

people have a need to believe that their enviornment is a just and orderly place, where people usually get what they deserve

Question 25

What is tokenism defined as?

Answer 25

performing positive actions towards members of minority or disadvantaged groups as a reaction to the discrimination they suffer

Question 26

What is affirmative action defined as?

Answer 26

a collective name for policies designed to promote the employment of people from disadvantaged minority groups

Question 27

What is positive feedback bias defined as?

Answer 27

the process of giving more positive feedback on work believed to have been performed by a minority group member rather than a majority group member

Question 28

What is contact hypothesis defined as?

Answer 28

the theory that certain types of direct contact between members of hostile groups will reduce stereotyping and prejudice

Question 29

What is extended contact effect defined as?

Answer 29

finding that people are less prejudiced if they are friends with an ingroup member who they know to have good friendships with outgroup members

Question 30

What is imagined contact effect defined as?

Answer 30

merely imagined positive encounters with people of minority groups will make people feel more positive towards that group