Stereotypes/Labelling

Question 1

What are in-/outg-groups?

Answer 1

Social groups to which a person does (not) psychologically identify as being a member

Question 2

How do in-groups give us a sense of social identity?

Answer 2

• Important source of pride + self-esteem
• Allow us to find out things about ourself
• Help us to define socially acceptable behaviour

Question 3

Hogg and Vaughan (1995) definition of a stereotype

Answer 3

Widely shared assumption about the personality, attitude or behaviour of a person based solely on their group membership

Question 4

How are stereotypes formed?

Answer 4

• Personal experience
• Culturally received information
• Encoded language

Question 5

Why do we stereotype?

Answer 5

• Social function
  > Allow us to learn from experience of others
• Cognitive function
  > Simplify + systemise information
  > Reduce processing time
  > Enable us to respond quicker to situations

Question 6

What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Answer 6

People tend to perceive members of an out-group as similar to each other

Question 7

What is the in-group differentiation effect?

Answer 7

People perceive many differences between members of their own group

Question 8

Consequences of stereotyping

Answer 8

• Affects our expectations of others/ourselves
• Affect social perceptions + behaviour

Question 9

Modified labelling theory

Answer 9

• Person is labelled –> social meanings of label become relevant to person
• Response (secrecy, withdrawal, educate)
• Negative consequences for self-esteem, earning, relationships, etc.
• Vulnerable to further episodes of mental distress

Question 10

What is stereotype threat (Steel, 1995)?

Answer 10

Occurs when a person experiences anxiety/concern that they may confirm a negative stereotype linked to their in-group

Question 11

How can stereotypes be changed?

Answer 11

• Counter-stereotypes
• Contact hypothesis (equal status, common goals, intergroup cooperation, support of law/customs)
• Education
• Media/social media