Stereotypes and Prejudice

What is the psychological definition of prejudice?

Biased negative attitudes toward a social group or individuals based on their group membership.

How is prejudice different from discrimination?

Prejudice = attitudes; discrimination = actions against a group or individuals.

What is systematic discrimination?

Organisational procedures and culture that lead to worse outcomes for minority groups.

Why do psychologists focus more on prejudice than discrimination?

Because psychology focuses on individuals and cognition.

Original definition of homophobia by Weinberg?

The dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals.

Main critique of early “homophobia” definition?

Prejudice relates more to hate, anger, and disgust than fear.

Modern casual meaning of homophobia?

Any negativity toward gay men and lesbians.

What is homonegativity?

Negative attitudes toward homosexuality or gay people.

What is heterosexism?

The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm and superior.

What is sexual stigma?

Societal-level devaluation of nonheterosexuality.

Herek’s definition of sexual prejudice (2002)?

Negative regard, inferior status, and powerlessness accorded to nonheterosexual people or behaviours.

One unique characteristic of sexual prejudice compared to other prejudices?

Sexual orientation can be concealed.

Why is sexual prejudice easier to measure than some other prejudices?

Many forms remain socially permissible, making people more willing to express them.

One normative contributor to sexual prejudice?

Traditional sex and gender norms.

What do ATG, ATL, ARBS, and ATTMW measure?

Explicit attitudes toward gay men, lesbians, bisexual people, and transgender men/women.

What does the IAT measure?

Implicit attitudes through response conflict.

Why do some studies ask about individuals instead of groups when measuring prejudice?

To measure bias without explicitly activating group labels (Zivony & Saguy, 2018).

What behavioural measure assesses sexual prejudice via physical distance?

Physical proximity (Morison & Morison 2003).

What behavioural measure uses aggressive responses as an indicator?

Physical aggression (Parrot et al., 2009).

What does a Feelings Thermometer measure?

Ratings from 0–100 indicating warmth or coldness toward groups (Norton & Herek 2013).

List 5 demographic correlates of sexual prejudice.

Gender, education, religiosity, age, residence.

List 5 psychological correlates of sexual prejudice.

Belief in gender binary, authoritarianism, disgust sensitivity, belief sexual orientation is a choice, conservatism.

Connell’s concept of “hegemonic masculinity”?

Masculinity is defined against subordinate groups such as sexual minorities.

Kimmel’s view on masculinity and homophobia?

Homophobia is fear of being seen as insufficiently masculine, not fear of gay men.

Pascoe’s contribution to masculinity research?

Boys/men enforce masculinity through interactions, using “gay” as a regulatory insult.

Parrott (2009) finding on antifemininity norms?

Men high in antifemininity were more likely to shock a fictitious gay opponent.

What is “masculinity threat” in research?

Participants told they scored low on masculinity, increasing prejudice and hostility.

Effects of masculinity threat according to Willer, Talley & Bettencourt, Glick et al.?

Increases prejudice, hostility, and negative attitudes toward gay and feminine gay men.

What is confrontation in anti-prejudice research?

Communicating displeasure with prejudice in a visible way.

Effectiveness of confrontation (Stewart et al., 2014)?

Reduces prejudice and improves psychological wellbeing.

Definition of stereotypes?

Fixed, simplified, overgeneralised beliefs about groups.

Two common stereotypes about gay men?

Feminine, hypersexual.

Two common stereotypes about lesbians?

Masculine, dislike men.

Two common stereotypes about bisexual people?

Confused, promiscuous.

Common stereotypes about transgender people?

Confused, mentally ill, “actually gay.”

What did Blashill & Powlishta (2009) find about gender-atypical traits?

Gender-atypical characters are perceived as more likely to be gay/lesbian

Lehavot & Lambert (2007) finding on prejudice and gender atypicality?

Only prejudiced individuals judged targets as gender atypical.

What is the social learning view of stereotyping?

Stereotypes are learned through direct or indirect experience.

What is stereotype deduction?

People infer stereotypes without direct contact, based on assumptions about sexuality.

Two common stereotypes about bisexual individuals supported by Zivony & Lobel (2014)?

Promiscuous, confused.