SOCL 306 Final Exam

What is prejudice

Negative feelings about others because of their connection to a social group

What is discrimination

Negative behaviors directed against people because of their membership in a particular group

What are stereotypes

Beliefs that associate a whole group of people with certain traits

What is racism

Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s background

What is sexism

Prejudice and discrimination based on a person’s gender

What motivates humans to operate as a group

A need to affiliate

Why do we associate with groups

For self protection

What is a potential disadvantage that comes from the need to affiliate

Us vs Them mentality

What theories explain why people favor ingroups over outgroups

Optimal distinctiveness theory, terror management theory

What is optimal distinctiveness theory

We have a motivation to associate with people while also maintaining our individuality

What is terror management theory

To manage our fear of death, we maintain a world view made of politics, religion, etc

How can terror management lead to an ingroup vs outgroup mentality

We like to hang with people that have a similar world view, but when we encounter someone with a different world view we see it as a challenge against ourselves or our group

What is social categorization

The classification of people based on attributes

What is a benefit of social categorization

Saves time and energy

What is a disadvantage of social categorization

Can lead to overestimation of differences between groups and underestimation of differences within groups

Why are outgroups seen as homogenous

We don’t notice subtle differences, we don’t encounter representative samples of outgroup members

What does research say about dehumanizing outgroups

People process faces of outgroup members more like objects than fellow human beings

What is the first part of social identity theory that relates to favoritism

Threats to one’s self esteem heighten the need for ingroup favoritism

What is the second part of social identity theory that relates to favoritism

Expression of ingroup favoritism and outgroup degradation enhance one’s self esteem

What is the basis of the Robber’s Cave experiment

Two groups at a summer camp developed a strong group identity

What was the conflict in the Robber’s Cave experiment

When the groups had to compete in friendly competition, the competition turned physically violent

What did Sherif do to get ride of aggression in the Robber’s Cave experiment

Developed superordinate goals

What are superordinate goals

Mutual goals that can only be achieved by cooperation

The best superordinate goals are

Challenging but attainable

What is realistic conflict theory

Competition for resources leads to hostility between groups

What is relative deprivation

Feelings of discontent aroused by the relief that one fares poorly compared to others

What is motives behind intergroup dominance and status

Social dominance orientation, system justification

What is social dominance orientation

People whose groups are more dominant and want to keep their groups dominant are willing to impose stuff that makes people suffer as long as it keeps their group dominant and negatively influences groups below them

What is system justification

Processes that may endorse and legitimize existing social arrangements like the status quo

What are the types of racism

Modern racism, implicit racism

What is modern racism

A form of racism that surfaces in subtle ways when it is safe, socially acceptable, and easy to rationalize

What is implicit racism

Racism that operates unconsciously and unintentionally