Social Categorization, Stereotypes, and Discrimination in Psychology

What is social categorization?

The process of simplifying the world by creating broad social categories for people, such as Asian, plumber, or woman.

How do stereotypes influence information processing?

Stereotypes affect how we categorize and remember information about members of social categories.

What are basic social categories?

Categories based on sex, age, and race that we automatically use to group people.

What are secondary categories in social categorization?

Categories such as weight, sexual identity, religion, height, attractiveness, ethnicity, and ability.

What is prototypicality?

The degree to which facial features match assumed traits of a social category.

What is the ingroup/outgroup bias?

The tendency to favor members of one's own group (ingroup) over those of other groups (outgroup).

What is the outgroup homogeneity effect?

The tendency to overestimate the similarity of outgroup members, leading to stereotype activation.

What is the ultimate attribution error?

The tendency to attribute negative behaviors of outgroup members to internal traits rather than external factors.

What does social role theory suggest about stereotypes?

It posits that traits associated with social roles are assigned to individuals who typically occupy those roles.

What is illusory correlation in the context of stereotypes?

The false belief that there is a relationship between two events or objects, leading to stereotypes.

How do parents and peers influence stereotypes?

Stereotypes are learned directly and indirectly through social learning and observation of rewards and punishments.

What is the 'man-first principle' in language?

The tendency to emphasize masculine terms, which can influence stereotypes.

What is colorism?

The preferential treatment of lighter-skinned individuals within a racial group, often leading to more positive representation.

What are microaggressions?

Subtle, often unintentional, forms of discrimination that convey negative stereotypes.

What is blatant discrimination?

Intentional and open forms of unequal treatment, such as hate crimes or slurs.

What is covert discrimination?

Unequal treatment that is hidden or disguised.

What is subtle discrimination?

Hard-to-detect forms of unequal treatment that may seem normal and can be unintentional.

What is the theory of planned behavior?

A theory suggesting that intentions, influenced by attitudes and social norms, are the best predictors of behavior.

What are disinhibitors in the context of prejudice?

Factors such as anonymity and strong emotions that can lead to ignoring social norms regarding discrimination.

What is organizational discrimination?

Discriminatory practices within an organization that result in biased treatment of certain groups.

What is the shifting standard model?

The idea that women and minority groups may be evaluated more harshly due to lower performance expectations.

What is the loss opportunities effect?

The perception of discrimination that can negatively impact workplace performance.

What are personal stereotypes?

Individual beliefs about traits associated with certain groups, which can influence discriminatory behavior.

What is the relationship between prejudice and discrimination?

Prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory actions are weakly correlated, influenced by social norms and intentions.

What is the impact of media on stereotypes?

Media can shape stereotype content and influence beliefs about minority groups in the absence of direct experience.

What is the moral credentials effect?

The phenomenon where demonstrating non-prejudiced attitudes can lead to increased discrimination later on.