Perception and Stereotyping

Attribution theory

An attempt to explain the ways we judge people differently, depending on the meaning we attribute to a behavior, such as determining whether an individual's behavior is internally or externally caused.

fundamental attribution error

the tendency to underestimate external factors and rely on internal factors when making judgements of others

self-serving bias

The tendency for individuals to attribute their own successes to internal factors and put the blame for failures on external factors.

Selective perception

The tendency to selectively interpret what one sees based on one's interests, background, experience, and attitudes.

halo effect

The tendency to draw a positive general impression about an individual based on a single characteristic.

horns effect

The tendency to draw a positive general impression about an individual based on a single characteristic.

stereotyping

beliefs about the typical characteristics of a group

discrimination

treating someone who belongs to a group differently because they belong to that group

Faultlines

the perceived divisions that split groups into two or more subgroups based on individual differences such as sex, race, age, work experience, and education

surface level diversity

differences such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and physical disabilities that are observable

deep level diversity

differences such as personality and attitudes, learned only through extended interaction with others

Attributional ambiguity

a phenomenon where members of groups are uncertain whether negative experiences are based on their own actions and abilities or are the result of prejudice

Prejudice

an affective disposition towards a group based only on their membership towards this group

cognitive misers

a term that expresses how humans use shortcuts or simple ways to solve problems

bottom up processing

using sensory info to make sense of the world around us

top down processing

using prior knowledge and expectations to interpret new sensory information

schemas

social way of top down processing, a cognitive framework that helps people organize and interpret information to take mental shortcuts and make sense of the complicated world around them

Catch 22

when a problem's solution leads to another problem

gender double bind

a phenomenon that occurs when women are expected to meet contradictory expectations that are based on gender stereotypes (both communal and competent)

stereotype threat

a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype