PSYCH 220 - Topic 12: Prejudice

Prejudice

A hostile or negative attitude toward people in a distinguishable group, based solely on their group membership.

Examples of Prejudice

Negative attitudes toward First Nations people, anti-Asian sentiment during COVID-19, anti-Muslim hate groups.

Targets of Prejudice

Anyone can be a target if they belong to a particular group.

Affective Component of Prejudice

Emotional response toward a group; feelings can be positive or negative and exist independently of rational thought.

Cognitive Component of Prejudice

Beliefs or thoughts (stereotypes) about a group, often overgeneralized.

Stereotype

A generalization where identical characteristics are attributed to all members of a group, regardless of individual differences.

Hostile Sexism

Negative stereotypes about women (e.g., women are manipulative, inferior).

Benevolent Sexism

Apparently positive but patronizing views about women (e.g., women need protection).

Behavioural Component of Prejudice

Discrimination: unjustified negative or harmful actions toward someone based on group membership.

Discrimination

Unjustified harmful actions toward a person because of their group affiliation.

Modern Racism

Outward appearance of being unprejudiced while holding inward negative beliefs.

Implicit Attitudes Test (IAT)

Tool to measure unconscious bias using reaction times to pairings; results can indicate hidden prejudice.

Criticism of IAT

Some debate its predictive validity and correlation with actual behaviour.

Other Implicit Measures

People may rate neutral stimuli differently after seeing Black/White faces; measure distance in associations (e.g., “move words” tasks).

Behavioural Measures of Prejudice

Used in studies like job applications with names implying race/gender to detect discrimination.

Questionnaire Tools for Prejudice

Modern scales use subtle items as people avoid endorsing overtly prejudiced statements.

In-group Bias

Tendency to favor and give preference to our own group over others.

Stereotyping Processes

Can be automatic (unconscious) or controlled (deliberate).

Attributional Biases

Tendency to make biased judgments about group members’ behavior (e.g., blaming individuals from out-groups more harshly).

Economic Competition

Prejudice can increase when groups compete for limited resources.

Normative Rules

Social norms can encourage or discourage prejudice and discrimination.