Social Psychology (7): Stereotypes 1

Stereotypes

Generalised beliefs about or expectations from members of a group.

Are stereotypes always inaccurate or fixed?

No, they can be changeable and sometimes accurately describe group averages.

How are stereotypes different from prejudice and discrimination?

• Stereotypes are cognitive (beliefs)

• Prejudice is affective (feelings)

• Discrimination is behavioral (actions)

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help organise, interpret, and recall information efficiently.

What is the Cognitive Miser Model?

The idea that people conserve mental resources by using simplified cognitive processes (e.g. stereotypes)

What motivational purpose do stereotypes serve?

They help maintain positive group identity through Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986).

What did Bodenhausen (1990) find about stereotypes?

People relied more on stereotypes when they were low in cognitive resources (e.g., during their "off" time of day).

Stereotype Content Model (SCM)

Two main dimensions of Warmth and Competence → Group Types:

• Admiration: High warmth, high competence (ingroup members)

• Envy: Low warmth, high competence (CEOs, wealthy)

• Paternalism: High warmth, low competence (elderly, disabled)

• Contempt: Low warmth, low competence (welfare recipients)

(Fiske, Cuddy, Glick, & Xu, 2002).

What did Deutsch et al. (1987) find about stereotypes?

Nonsmiling women were rated less positively than smiling women and men, even more harshly than those with no photos → Even “positive” stereotypes can be harmful if not confirmed.

What did Snyder & Swann (1978) find about stereotypes?

Participants believed an interviewee was either introverted or extraverted and chose questions that confirmed these assumptions; reinforcing stereotypes.