Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination as discussed in the lecture notes.

Stereotype

An oversimplified belief describing all members of a certain group.

Prejudice

Emotion-centered judgments or evaluations about people based on their perceived membership in a group.

Discrimination

Behaviors toward people based on their perceived membership in a group.

Ingroup

Any group in which a person is a member.

Outgroup

Any group in which a person is not a member.

Kernel of truth theory

The idea that stereotypes originated with some truth but have become exaggerated or outdated.

Social Role Theory

The idea that stereotypes form from observing what people do and reinforcing those behaviors.

Stereotype Threat

Anxiety about confirming a negative stereotype about one’s group, leading to poor performance.

Contact hypothesis

The idea that prejudice will decrease with exposure to members of a disliked outgroup.

Superordinate goals

Objectives that cannot be achieved without cooperative efforts from multiple groups.

Social learning theory

The idea that we copy behaviors we see rewarded in others.

White privilege

The cultural benefits that white individuals experience, often without being aware of them.

Frustration-aggression theory

The idea that frustrations lead to aggression toward weaker targets.

Ambivalent prejudice

Combines benevolent and hostile prejudice depending on whether group members fit expectations.

Institutional discrimination

Unfair treatment of individuals or groups by society or organizations through unequal selection or opportunity.

Authoritarian personality

A personality characterized by submission to authority and conformity to conventional beliefs.