Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination

Stereotype

a set of cognitive beliefs and expectations about members of a group.

Prejudice

• a negative attitude towards a person/group that is unjustifiable and formed before any real interaction w/ them.

• forms of prejudice: racism, sexism, ageism, etc.

Causes of prejudice

• social influence

• intergroup competition

• social categorisation 

• just world phenomenon

Social influence

• process where individuals change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours to align w/ norms.

• ppl adopt prejudiced views to fit in with their group (conformity)

Intergroup competition

• groups compete for scare, valuable resources (e.g., jobs, housing, social status). Creates conflict between groups.

• competition causes frustration, leads to groups blaming outgroups for their problems.

Social categorisation

• grouping ppl based on common characteristics

• leads to prejudice as it encourages us to favour our own group members and view outgroup members as similar (no individual difference)

Just world phenomenon

• belief that the world is fair and ppl get what they deserve.

• reduces empathy for disadvantaged groups by making ppl think that those who suffer must’ve done something to deserve it (victim blaming)

• e.g., poor ppl deserve poverty due to their own failings.

• causes prejudiced bc ppl believe world is “fair” yet blames disadvantaged groups, beleiving they’re unworthy/uncapable. 

Reducing prejudice

• contact hypothesis

  • intergroup contact

  • superordinate goals

  • mutual interdependence 

  • equal-status contact

• cognitive interventions 

Contact hypothesis

• prejudice reduces when ppl from different groups meet and interact positively

• breaks down wrong ideas, helps ppl to see each other as individuals. 

• groups should work together towards common goals.

Intergroup contact

creating situations where individuals from different groups can interact.

Superordinate goals

• important goals that both groups want to achieve, but can only be done by working together.

• reduces conflict, builds unity. 

Mutual interdependence

• creating situations where groups must depend on each other to achieve important outcomes.

• individuals form different groups see each other as partners

• builds positive relationships.

Equal-status contact

interactions between groups should be in situations where everyone has equal status (no power imbalances).

Discrimination

• unfair treatment towards those who belong to an outgroup.

• it’s the behavioural side of prejudice; showing actions like harassing or mistreating others.

• based on characteristics. e.g.l, race, sex, age, disability, etc.

• favouritism toward own group (ingroup) and unfairness to other groups (outgroup).

• e.g., members of a community may hold prejudiced attitudes towards refugees and will deny their basic rights, preventing them from settling into their community.

Direct discrimination

• form of discrimination that is intentional

• mistreatment is based on characteristics of outgroup

• it’s visible

• e.g., an older person isn’t chosen for a job as it’s assumed they’re not familiar w/ new tech (direct age discrimination)

Indirect discrimination

• unintentional rule, policy or practice which seems fair for everyone actually puts certain groups at an unfair disadvantage.

• e.g., adding stairs at school without providing ramps/elevators for disabled ppl.