Prejudice, Discrimination, and Stereotyping (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping.

Prejudice

A usually negative attitude toward a person or group based on membership in a social category, often formed with insufficient evidence; a social attitude linked to stereotypes.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group or its members, often oversimplified and applied to individuals regardless of their unique traits; a cognitive shortcut.

Stereotyping

The process of applying generalized beliefs about a group to individual members, leading to biased judgments.

Discrimination

The behavior or actions that treat people unfairly or differently because of their group membership, often based on prejudice or stereotypes.

Social stigma

The disapproval, discrimination, or devaluation of a person based on association with a stigmatized group, which can affect self-esteem and mental health.

Internalisation of others’ evaluations

When individuals absorb the negative beliefs about their group and begin to believe or act as if they are those judgments; a self-stigmatizing process.

Social Learning Theory

A theory proposing that prejudice and other attitudes are learned through observation, reinforcement, and modelling.

Association

Linking a group with particular traits or stereotypes through learning; an element of how prejudice forms.

Reinforcement

Rewards or social approval for prejudiced statements or behaviours, strengthening prejudiced attitudes.

Modelling

Imitating the prejudiced beliefs or behaviours of parents, peers, or role models.

Reverse discrimination

Policies or practices that favour historically disadvantaged groups, sometimes argued to disadvantage the majority; controversial form of bias.

Explicit forms of discrimination

Open, direct discriminatory actions that are illegal or socially censored.