Social Psychology (6): Prejudice

Prejudice

An unfavorable attitude towards a social group and its members.

What are the three components of prejudice?

• Cognitive

• Affective

• Conative

What are Hostile and Benevolent Sexism?

• Hostile sexism is overtly negative

• Benevolent sexism involves "positive" beliefs that still reinforce traditional roles.

Key elements of modern theories of racism (Brown, 2011)?

• Residual negative attitudes

• Societal norm discouragement of overt prejudice

• Minimisation of the effects of racism

• Individual differences

Difference between explicit and implicit prejudice?

• Explicit is conscious and controllable

• Implicit is unconscious and reflexive

What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) measure?

Implicit prejudice based on reaction times when categorising stimuli (e.g., Black/White with Pleasant/Unpleasant).

What is aversive racism?

Prejudice among individuals who endorse egalitarian (equality) values BUT harbor unconscious biases.

What personality is linked to prejudice according to Adorno et al. (1950)?

The Authoritarian Personality

What characterises the Authoritarian Personality?

• Ethnocentrism

• Negative attitudes towards minorities and democracy

• Conservative values

What causes the Authoritarian personality?

Autocratic and punitive parenting practices

Evidence of the Authoritarian Personality?

Adorno et al (1950): Found that F scale and prejudice correlate positively. Participants with high scores on F scale idealise parents and have strict obedience.

What are criticisms of the Authoritarian Personality theory?

• Methodological flaws

• Sociocultural influences

• Changes in child-rearing practices

What is Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA)?

A trait characterised by:

• authoritarian submission

• conventionalism

• aggression

  towards deviant groups (Altemeyer, 1988).

What does Social Dominance Theory (SDT) propose (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999)?

Societies are structured into group-based hierarchies maintained by dominant groups through system-wide and individual processes.

What is Social Dominance Orientation (SDO)?

A personal orientation towards favoring group-based hierarchies.

How does group status relate to SDO?

Members of dominant groups generally have higher SDO than subordinate groups.

Differences between RWA and SDO?

• RWA: focuses on one individual trait

• SDO: A measure of someone’s orientation towards group based hierarchies

But both measure prejudice

What does Realistic Group Conflict Theory (RGCT) suggest?

Intergroup conflict arises from real competition over resources.

Key findings of Sherif’s Summer Camp Studies?

Group competition increases ingroup favoritism; cooperation on superordinate goals reduces hostility.

What are criticisms of RGCT?

• Conflicting interests are not necessary for intergroup bias

• Psychological factors matter

What is Behavioral Asymmetry in regards to SDT?

Subordinate groups may favor dominant groups over their own.

What does Social Identity Theory (SIT) propose?

Mere categorisation into groups can create ingroup favoritism and ethnocentrism.

What motivates positive social identity according to SIT?

Favorable intergroup comparisons

How does national identity relate to prejudice?

Nationalism correlates with prejudice; patriotism does not.

What does Intergroup Threat Theory state?

Threats (realistic or symbolic) from outgroups lead to negative attitudes towards them.

How do media and politicians influence threat perception?

By constructing outgroups (like immigrants) as threats to socioeconomic stability.

What is the Contact Hypothesis (Allport, 1954)?

Positive intergroup contact under certain conditions reduces prejudice.

What four conditions facilitate positive intergroup contact?

• Equal status

• Common goals

• Cooperation

• institutional support

What did Pettigrew & Tropp (2006) meta-analysis find on contact & prejudice?

Contact generally reduces prejudice, especially among LGBTQ+ and disabled groups.

What is the asymmetry hypothesis about contact?

Negative intergroup contact has a stronger impact than positive contact.

What are paradoxical effects of positive intergroup contact for disadvantaged groups?

It can decrease perceptions of injustice and reduce motivation for collective action.