Unit 4.2 Attitude Formation and Attitude Change

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified belief or idea about a particular group of people or things, often leading to generalized assumptions that may not reflect reality.

Prejudice

An unjustified or incorrect negative attitude toward individuals based solely on their group membership, often leading to discrimination.

Discrimination

An unjustified or incorrect negative action toward individuals based solely on their group membership, often leading to discrimination.

Implicit Attitudes

Attitudes that are not consciously held but influence feelings and behaviors towards a group or individual, often operating outside of conscious awareness.

Just-Word-Phenomenon

The tendency for individuals to believe that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people, often leading to victim-blaming.

Out-Group Homogeneity Bias

The tendency to perceive members of an out-group as more similar to each other than they actually are, resulting in a lack of differentiation between individuals in that group.

In-Group Bias

The tendency to favor one's own group over other groups, often leading to preferential treatment and positive evaluations of in-group members.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others, often leading to prejudice and discrimination against other cultural groups.

Belief Perserverance

The tendency to hold on to initial beliefs even when confronted with contradictory evidence, making it difficult to change one's mind.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or values.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological phenomenon where an individual experiences discomfort or tension due to holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, often leading to attitude change.

Scapegoating

Assigning blame to an individual or group for problems or misfortunes, often to deflect attention from the real causes.