prejudice, discrimination, and stigma

Outgroup Homogeneity Effect

The tendency to see members within a given out group as being more alike than members of one’s in group.

Stereotypes

Beliefs about the personalities, abilities, and motives of outgroup members. They are a type of schema and significantly influence how we process social information

Prejudice

Attitudes toward members of specific groups that suggest they deserve inferior social status

Discrimination

A negative and/or patronizing action toward members of a specific group.

Contemptuous Prejudice

Exclusively negative attitudes of disrespect, resentment, and hostility. It most closely fits the traditional definition of prejudice

Ambivalent Prejudice

Prejudice consisting of both negative and positive attitudes. Includes Envious Prejudice (resentment and hostility mixed with fear/envy) and Paternalistic Prejudice (patronizing affection/pity mixed with condescension/disrespect).

Racism

Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s racial background. Forms include Old-fashioned Racism (blatantly negative stereotypes) and Aversive Racism (both positive and negative beliefs/feelings)

Sexism

Intergroup intolerance based on a person’s biological sex. Ambivalent Sexism involves a view that women are "wonderful" provided they do not step out of traditional gender roles.

Stigma

An attribute that discredits a person or social group in the eyes of others. It "spoils" the individual's full humanity.

Stereotype Threat

The apprehension people feel when performing a task in which their group is stereotyped to lack ability. The fear of confirming the stereotype can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Contact Hypothesis

Intergroup contact will decrease hostilities when specific situational conditions are met, such as equal social status, sustained close contact, and intergroup cooperation.