Perceiving Groups and Stereotypes

Flashcards about perceiving groups, stereotypes, and prejudice.

Discrimination

Positive or negative behavior directed toward a social group and its members.

Prejudice

Positive or negative evaluations of a social group and its members.

Stereotype

A mental representation of a social group that people form by associating particular characteristics and emotions with the group.

Social Group

Two or more people who share some common characteristic that is socially meaningful for themselves or for others.

Social Categorization

The process of identifying individual people as members of a social group because they share certain features that are typical of the group.

Illusory Correlation

A perceived association between two characteristics that are not actually related.

Implicit Attitude

Spontaneous (non-conscious) behavior.

Explicit Attitude

Conscious behavior.

Contact Hypothesis

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

Contrast Effect

Considering the contradictory group member as an extraordinary exception, and an individual rather than a group member. As he/she contradicts the stereotype, he/she will be perceived as even more different from the stereotype than he/she really is.