Unit 5: Groups, Prejudice and Discrimination

prejudice

negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely one’s membership in a particular social group

stereotype

specific belief or assumption about individuals based solely on their membership in a group

discrimination

negative action toward an individual as a result of one’s membership in a particular group

racism

prejudice and discrimination against an individual based solely on their membership in a specific racial group

sexism

prejudice and discrimination toward individuals based on their sex

ageism

prejudice and discrimination toward individuals based on their age

homophobia

prejudice and discrimination of individuals based solely on their sexual orientation

transphobia

hatred of fear of those who are perceived to break or blur stereotypical gender roles

self-fulfilling prophecy

expectations that change how an individual treats another person, often leading to the other person behaving in a way that aligns with the individual’s initial expectations

confirmation bias

seeking information supports our beliefs and ignoring inconsistent or challenging information

in-group

group that an individual identifies as part of

out-group

group that is fundamentally different than one’s own

in-group bias

tendency to prefer one’s own group which may lead to prejudice or discrimination against others who aren’t members of that group

scapegoating

blaming an out-group when the in-group experiences unwanted outcome or frustration