Week 8 Psychology of Diversity

Building blocks for prejudice in infants

early ability to distinguish familiar vs unfamiliar and show preference patterns

Infant differentiation

by 3–6 months can distinguish by skin tone and gender

Dishabituation paradigm

method to measure infant preference by looking time changes

Building blocks in young children

early preferences and social categorization emerge

Preference test

method showing children prefer those with similar likes

Social categorization

grouping people based on observable traits

Bias development age 4–5

children begin showing bias based on social categories

Ingroup favoritism

preference for one’s own group

Age differences in ingroup bias

younger kids prefer high-status groups older kids prefer own group

Adolescence and prejudice

increased abstract thinking identity exploration and peer influence

Attitude changes in adolescence

some reduction in bias especially toward stigmatized groups

Normative masculinity effect

straight male youth less likely to improve attitudes

Socialization theory

prejudice learned through parents media and environment

Social-cognitive development theory

children develop prejudice as cognitive abilities like categorization and perspective-taking grow

Theory of mind

ability to understand others have different thoughts and perspectives

Social identity development theory

prejudice arises from desire to favor one’s group for self-esteem

Developmental intergroup theory

prejudice develops from categorization plus social context and valued differences

Four processes in developmental intergroup theory

identify differences categorize develop stereotypes and use them to interpret others

How we test prejudice in children

methods like preference tasks doll studies and observation

Clark’s doll study

children showed preference for white dolls indicating internalized racism

Cross’s 5 stages of racial identity development

model explaining Black identity development over time

Pre-encounter stage

devalue Black identity and value dominant culture

Encounter stage

experience that challenges previous beliefs about race

Immersion-emersion stage

strong identification with Black culture and rejection of dominant culture

Internalization stage

secure positive racial identity

Internalization-commitment stage

identity leads to action for social justice

Critical consciousness

awareness of social inequalities and motivation to challenge them

Oppositional social identity

rejecting dominant culture norms to maintain group identity

Tatum chocolate milk question

example showing young children form misconceptions about race and need clear explanations

Lesson from chocolate milk story

adults should directly address race rather than avoid it

Colorblind ideology critique

ignoring race can reinforce confusion and inequality

Why are Black students sitting together (Tatum)

example of identity development and need for affinity spaces during adolescence

Cafeteria grouping explanation

students seek support and identity exploration with similar others

Role of context in identity

environment influences how identity and prejudice develop

Shared fate concept

recognizing connection with others who share identit