7: Prejudice, Streotypes, and Discrimination

Prejudice

An unjustified, typically negative attitude directed toward an individual based solely on their group membership

Social Categorization

Pioneered by Gordon Allport:

It explains that humans naturally categorize people into groups as a mental shortcut to process the world, which easily leads to fault assumptions.

Realistic Conflict Theory

It suggests prejudice arises when resources are scarce, leading to direct competition and hostility between groups.

Social Identity Theory

Proposed by Henri Tajfel:

It posits that people enhance their self-esteem by identifying with specific groups and subsequently devaluing to maintain a positive social standing.

Social Dominance Theory

It explores how societal hierarchies are maintained, suggesting that some individuals possess a higher Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), meaning they prefer and support social inequality.

Sexual Prejudice

All negative attitudes based on sexual orientation.

Stereotype

It is a specific belief or assumption (thoughts) about individuals based solely on their membership in a group, regardless of their individual characteristics.

from the Greek words STEREOS (firm, solid) and TYPOS (impression) (=solid impression)

In-Groups

Viewed as normal and superior, and are generally the group that one associates with or aspires to join

Out-Groups

Simply all the other groups. They are seen as lesser than or inferior to the in-groups.

Explicit Stereotypes

Beliefs or generalizations that you are consciously aware of and actively use when interacting with others

Implicit Stereotypes

Unconscious, automatic associations and attitudes you hold about a group, often operating below your level of conscious awarenss.

Descriptive Stereotypes

Describe how a group is perceived

Prescriptive Stereotypes

Dictate how a group should behave

Stereotype Content Model

Psychologists divide stereotypes into TWO primary dimensions that determine how we view a group (Warmth, Competence)