Psychology - Stereotypes & Prejudice

Topic 1 of semester 2

Stereotype

A collection of beliefs that someone has about the people who belong to a certain group, regardless of individual differences among people in that group

Common Stereotypes

All asians are smart, woman belong in the kitchen, men are stronger than woman, americans are fat, etc.

Functions of stereotypes

Respond rapidly to situations because we may have had a similar situation before
Simplify our social worlds
Reduce the amount of processing we are required to do when we meet a new person

Prejudice

A negative emotional attitude help towards members of a specific social group

prejudice as an attitude

Involves stereotypes (cognitive), negative feelings (attitudes), and a tendency to act in a discriminatory way (behaviour)

Discrimination

Unequal treatment of people who shoul dhave the same rights as others

Direct discrimination