Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination as outlined in the lecture notes.

Stereotypes

Beliefs that associate a whole group of people with certain traits.

Prejudice

Negative attitude about others because of their connection to a social group.

Discrimination

Negative behaviors directed against persons because of their membership in a particular group.

In-groups

Groups to which an individual feels a sense of belonging or identifies with.

Out-groups

Groups with which an individual does not identify; they are perceived as different.

Outgroup Homogeneity Effect

The tendency to perceive more similarity within out-groups than in-groups based on stereotypes.

Social Identity Theory

Theory that explains how a person's self-esteem is affected by their group memberships and relationships with out-groups.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

The process by which one’s expectations about a person eventually lead that person to behave in ways that confirm those expectations.

Stereotype Threat

The decrease in performance by members of negatively stereotyped groups due to the anxiety of being perceived in a stereotypical manner.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to seek, interpret, and create information that verifies existing beliefs.

Belief Perseverance

The tendency to maintain beliefs even after they have been discredited.

Belief in a Just World

The belief that individuals get what they deserve in life, leading to a tendency to disparage victims.

Realistic Conflict Theory

Theory stating that hostility between groups is caused by direct competition for limited resources.

Contact Hypothesis

The theory that under certain conditions, direct contact between hostile groups will reduce prejudice.

Superordinate Goals

Goals that can only be achieved through cooperation among individuals or groups.

Ambivalent Sexism

A framework that consists of both hostile and benevolent sexism towards women.

Role Conflict

The stress or tension that arises when an individual faces competing standards of behavior.