Exam Review

Sociology

Stereotype

all of the characteristics that come to mind when you hear of a specific group/type of person. 

• Because you are ____, you must do this / Be this 

Prejudice

 Pre judgment of people, based on their group membership - judging people based on:

• Age, sexual orientation, religion, etc. 

• It is an attitude or belief - leads to discriminatory behavior. 

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership, often resulting from prejudice. It involves actions that disadvantage a person or group. Unequal treatment. The act of discrimination.  

Systemic Discrimination (intentional & unintentional)

Discrimination that is built into the institutions of society 

• The criminal justice system, education systems, etc. 

• Intentional - doing it on purpose. Government supports this. 

• Unintentional - Discrimination exists in the institution, it's not government policy, or not what people want / mean to do. 

Privilege

A special right or advantage held by a person or group, often unearned and based on social identities such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status. It can lead to systemic inequalities and disparities in access to resources.

Selective Perception

Once you put a label on somebody you are selectively only going to see things that fit the label. This cognitive bias influences how we interpret information about others, reinforcing stereotypes and potentially leading to discrimination.

Self-Fulfilling prophecy

Once you label somebody the way you interact with them can cause them to live up to that label. This phenomenon occurs when expectations about a person lead to behaviors that reinforce those expectations, ultimately causing the individual to conform to the label or stereotype assigned to them.

Racial Profiling

The practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnicity, often leading to discriminatory treatment and reinforcing societal stereotypes.

Priming

A psychological phenomenon where exposure to a stimulus influences response to a subsequent stimulus, often without conscious awareness. It can affect perceptions, judgments, and behaviors.

White Privilege

A societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people, often manifesting in various aspects of life such as education, employment, and law enforcement.

Bias

• Is a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc. are better than others, which often results in treating some people unfairly 

• Tendency to lean in a certain direction (not having an open mind)

or favoring one group over another, leading to systematic discrimination.

Explicit Bias

A conscious and intentional preference or prejudice towards a particular group, often leading to overt discrimination. Unlike implicit bias, explicit bias involves awareness of one's attitudes and beliefs.

We know that we have it, it is very obvious.  

• It is very easy to detect.

• Consciously held.

• Much easier to detect. 

• They will state their bias

Implicit/Unconscious Bias

A bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally, often without awareness, influencing attitudes and actions towards others based on stereotypes. It can affect decisions and behaviors in subtle yet significant ways.

Bias that exists in our unconscious/subconscious mind. We don't actually know we have it. 

• E.g. assume that women are more likely to go into the caring position. Being shocked by a male nurse.

• Everybody has implicit bia

Status-Legitimizing Beliefs

Beliefs that justify and support existing social hierarchies and inequalities, often reinforcing the status quo. These beliefs can perpetuate discrimination by promoting the idea that certain groups are inherently superior or more deserving.

Zero-Sum Beliefs

Beliefs that suggest one group's gain is another group's loss, often leading to competition and conflict over resources.

IAT Tests

Psychological assessments that measure implicit biases by analyzing reaction times to various stimuli.

Explain the three forms of prejudice and provide examples.

The three forms of prejudice are cognitive, affective, and behavioral.

Cognitive prejudice involves stereotypes, such as believing that all members of a certain group share specific traits;

affective prejudice includes feelings of dislike or hostility towards a group;

and behavioral prejudice refers to discriminatory actions, like refusing to hire someone based on their group membership.

What was the significance of the Hartley Study (1946)?

The Hartley Study (1946) demonstrated how prejudiced attitudes can be influenced by social context and group dynamics, highlighting the role of group identity in shaping biases.

The causes of prejudice usually fit into two categories – ignorance and fear. Explain the subcategories for each.

Ignorance can be further divided into lack of knowledge and stereotypes, while fear includes fear of the unknown and fear of losing status or resources.

Explain the following theories/terms and how they can cause prejudice: Frustration-Aggression Theory Selective Perception Conflict Theory Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Frustration-Aggression Theory suggests that frustration can lead to aggression towards outgroups; Selective Perception refers to the tendency to see only what confirms existing beliefs, reinforcing stereotypes; Conflict Theory posits that competition for resources fosters group conflict and prejudice; Self-Fulfilling Prophecy indicates that expectations about a group can lead to behaviors that confirm those expectations, perpetuating prejudice.

In the film A Class Divided, how did the negative and positive labels placed on the groups become a self-fulfilling prophecy?

The film A Class Divided illustrates how the negative labels assigned to one group led to discriminatory behavior, reinforcing the stereotypes and expectations associated with those labels. Conversely, the positive labels assigned to the other group fostered confidence and higher performance, demonstrating how expectations can shape individuals' behaviors and outcomes.

What is the difference between explicit and implicit bias?

Explicit bias refers to the attitudes or beliefs that one endorses at a conscious level, while implicit bias involves attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously.

What does psychologist Binna Kandola say we can do to diffuse bias (three things)?

Binna Kandola suggests that to diffuse bias, we can increase awareness of our biases, engage in perspective-taking to understand others, and implement structured decision-making processes to minimize the influence of biases.

In point-form, provide details of how each theorist explains the causes of prejudice and/or the ways to eliminate prejudice: ● Kenneth Boulding (terms: perception, image) ● Joel Barker (terms: paradigm, paradigm shift) ● Gordon Allport (terms: in/out groups, group norms theory of prejudice) ● Theodore Adorno (terms: authoritarian personality, components of authoritarian personality) ● Frances Abound (term: social-cognitive theory of prejudice) ● Beverly Tatum ● Ronald Samuda (term: culturally-fair testing)

• Kenneth Boulding: Perception shapes our image of others, influencing prejudices.

• Joel Barker: Paradigms define our understanding; a paradigm shift can alter perceptions and reduce prejudice.

• Gordon Allport: In-group favoritism and out-group discrimination are rooted in group norms, which can perpetuate prejudice.

• Theodore Adorno: The authoritarian personality is characterized by rigidity and conformity, fostering prejudice through its components.

• Frances Abound: The social-cognitive theory of prejudice emphasizes how social contexts and cognitive processes contribute to biased attitudes.

• Beverly Tatum: Focuses on the role of identity and the importance of understanding systemic racism.

• Ronald Samuda: Advocates for culturally-fair testing to minimize bias in assessments.

Define DSM

DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 

Lists on the illnesses, signs and systems, causes and statistics. Mentions if it's more common in men and women. What can be used to help an individual. 

Discuss the impact of the stigma surrounding mental health, causes of stigma, and types of stigma

Stigma surrounding mental health can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and reluctance to seek help. Causes of stigma include misconceptions about mental illness, fear of the unknown, and societal attitudes. Types of stigma include public stigma, self-stigma, and institutional stigma.

Explain the difference between psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors specializing in mental health, able to prescribe medication. Psychologists focus on therapy and psychological testing, while social workers provide support and resources, often working within community services.

Define Incidence

Total # of newly reported cases in a specific period of time. E.g in a calendar year. 

Define Etiology

Etiology: The study of the cause or origin of a disease.

There is a combination of causes. 

• Substance use

• Living Environment 

• Habits/Lifestyle 

Define Prevalence

Total # of cases new and old. E.g in canada 1 in 100 people will have a diagnosis of schizophrenia 

Define Comorbidity

You have a diagnosis of more than 1 mental illness at the same time. E.g ed and depression. 14% of people with a mental illness would meet the criteria of 3 or more mental illnesses.  

Define Epidemiology

Frequency and distribution of the mental illness, how often is it occuring, distribution means the breakdown, do more men have it than women, where is it occurring or make up of the mental illness.