Stereotypes

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Stereotypes are widely held but oversimplified beliefs about the characteristics of a group which is then applied to individual members
- It can lead to prejudice and discrimination

Question 2

Causes of stereotypes

Answer 2

• Personal experiences with people from another group
• Through gatekeepers (ingroup members influence how one perceives outgroups *media, family, etc)
• Illusory correlation (when one sees a correlation between two variables but it’s not a causation)
• Confirmation bias (the human tendency to seek out information to confirm one’s belief and ignore those that challenge it)

Question 3

Steps to stereotypes

Answer 3

1. Categorization: mentally placing someone into a particular social group from their characteristics
2. Generalization: forming a belief about a social group and applying it to members of that groups (outgroup homogeneity effect)

Question 4

Effects of stereotypes

Answer 4

Stereotype threat:
- Individuals who are stereotyped have a fear of confirming to negative stereotypes that lead to anxiety and low performance (multitasking by trying to not prove a stereotype)
- Anxiety or concern about confirming negative stereotypes