Ch. 6: Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

Attribution Theory

A theory that attempts to determine the cause of a behavior

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Two major dimensions are internal-external and stable-unstable

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate dispositional (internal, stable) causes of behaviors and to underestimate external causes of behaviors

Ultimate Attribution Error

The tendency to ascribe the cause of a behavior to dispositional characteristics of the group rather than to an individual member

Steroetype

A generalization about a group or its members based upon their categorization

Prejudice

A judgment about a group or its members based upon their categorization

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This judgment may be positive or negative, but it is typically thought to be negative

Discrimination

A negative behavior toward a group or its members based upon their categorization

Racism

Discriminatory behavior that has institutional power behind it

Illusory Correlation

An overestimation of the co-occurrence of two minority events

Availability Heuristic

A mental shortcut whereby the importance, frequency, or credence of something is exaggerated because it comes to mind easily

Outgroup Homogeneity Effect

The assumption that members of a social group that you are not a part of are all the same or similar

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

When two cognitions are in conflict, a person will be motivated to change one of them to reduce the unsettled feelings caused by the discrepancy

Stereotype Threat

A fear that one will confirm the negative stereotype of a group to which one belongs in an area in which the individual excels

Elements Needed to Trigger Stereotype Threat

1. An individual must excel in an area that is contrary to the stereotype

2. The stereotype has to be negative

3. The area in which the individual excels must be important to that person

4. The test of the individual’s skills must be challenging

Ridley’s Categories of Racism

1. Overt Racism

2. Covert, Intentional Racism

3. Covert, Unintentional Racism

Overt Racism

Discriminatory behavior in which people in the majority consciously and unapologetically engage in open, hostile acts of aggression against racial minorities

Covert, Intentional Racism

Discriminatory behavior that is intentional but is covered up so that one can deny his or her racism

Covert, Unintentional Racism

Discriminatory behavior that is unintentional but serves to perpetuate ongoing racist acts or traditions

Aversive Racism

Covert, unintentional discriminatory behavior practiced by individuals who would deny being racist and who would be appalled to realize that they were engaging in racist acts

Color-Blind Racial Ideology (CBRI)

An attempt to pretend that race and racism will not exist if people ignore race or ethnicity.

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This ideology has two components:

1. Color Evasion

2. Power Evasion

Internalized Oppression

Those who are colonized and/or oppressed may automatically accept the superiority of the oppressor

Microaggression

A small slight or offense that may be intentional but is mostly unintentional and does not harm the target of the offense sin any major way but can accumulate to be burdensome over time

Microassault

A blatant verbal, nonverbal, or environmental attack intentionally discriminatory or biased

Microinsult

An unintentional behavior or verbal comment conveying rudeness or insensitivity

Microinvalidation

An action that excludes, negates, or dismisses the perceptions of the target person

White Privilege

The unearned advantages associated with being White in America, such as knowing that Whiteness will be emphasized in the media.

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Ethnic minorities are not always portrayed in the media, and when they are, they are often portrayed stereotypically rather than as multifaceted individuals

Male Privilege

The unearned advantages associated with being male, such as knowing that one’s opinions will be respected.

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Women often feel that their opinions are not respected or are attributed to emotion, not sound reasoning

Heterosexual Privilege

The unearned advantages with being straight

White Fragility

Discomfort and defensiveness on the part of a White person when confronted by information about racial inequality and injustice

Definition of Allies

Individuals who are on the upside of power who cross a demographic boundary to advocate for those on the downside of power