Chapter 4
1. Stereotype Knowledge
Definition: Awareness of cultural stereotypes related to different social groups, regardless of personal belief.
Example: Knowing that there’s a stereotype that teenagers are irresponsible, even if you don't believe it.
2. Stereotype Endorsement
Definition: Believing that a stereotype about a group is accurate or true.
Example: Believing that women are naturally less skilled in math is an example of stereotype endorsement.
3. Stereotype Activation
Definition: The process in which exposure to a group triggers associated stereotypes in the mind.
Example: Seeing a person in a wheelchair and automatically thinking they are dependent or less capable.
4. Automatic Activation
Definition: When stereotypes are triggered unconsciously and without deliberate thought.
Example: Quickly assuming someone with glasses is intelligent without consciously intending to.
5. Prototypicality
Definition: The degree to which an individual is representative of a particular group or stereotype.
Example: A man with a strong southern accent might be seen as a prototypical Southerner.
6. Intersectional Invisibility
Definition: When individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups are overlooked or seen as less representative of their groups.
Example: A Black woman might face both racism and sexism, but her specific experiences might be ignored compared to those of Black men or White women.
7. Situational Context
Definition: The environment or situation that influences whether stereotypes are activated.
Example: A woman in a leadership position might activate gender stereotypes depending on whether she is in a male-dominated field.
8. Prejudice
Definition: A preconceived opinion or feeling, often negative, toward a group based on stereotypes.
Example: Holding the belief that all immigrants are criminals is an example of prejudice.
9. Cognitive Busyness
Definition: When a person is mentally preoccupied, making them less likely to engage in stereotype suppression.
Example: A person juggling multiple tasks may rely on stereotypes to make quick judgments about others.
10. Motivated Activation
Definition: When stereotypes are activated due to a person’s personal goals or desires.
Example: Someone feeling threatened by a competitor at work may activate negative stereotypes about that person's group to feel more secure.
11. Comprehension
Definition: The drive to make sense of and understand the world, which can lead to reliance on stereotypes.
Example: Using stereotypes to quickly understand how a person from a different culture might behave.
12. Self-Enhancement
Definition: The motivation to see oneself in a positive light, sometimes through negative comparisons with others.
Example: A person might activate negative stereotypes about a competitor to feel superior in a work setting.
13. Chronic Egalitarian Goals
Definition: A long-term commitment to treat all individuals equally and avoid using stereotypes.
Example: Someone who consistently avoids making assumptions about others based on race or gender.
14. Stereotype Relevance
Definition: The degree to which a stereotype applies to a particular situation or person.
Example: Stereotypes about age may be more relevant in a workplace setting than in a social one.
15. Activated Stereotype
Definition: A stereotype that has been triggered and is influencing thought or behavior.
Example: After seeing a news report on crime, people may activate stereotypes about certain racial groups.
16. Stereotype Application
Definition: The use of an activated stereotype to judge or make decisions about someone.
Example: Assuming a person is untrustworthy because they belong to a group that is stereotyped as dishonest.
17. Motivation to Inhibit Stereotyping
Definition: The desire to prevent oneself from applying stereotypes in judgments or behavior.
Example: Someone consciously trying not to judge a colleague based on their race during a team project.
18. Comprehension Goals
Definition: The need to make sense of a situation or individual, which can increase the likelihood of stereotyping if stereotypes simplify understanding.
Example: Using stereotypes to make assumptions about someone from a different country to quickly 'understand' them.
19. Individuating Information
Definition: Specific details about an individual that help override stereotypes by highlighting their unique characteristics.
Example: Learning that a coworker has a PhD in physics may prevent you from stereotyping them based on gender.
20. Cognitive Styles
Definition: Differences in how individuals process information, which can affect how much they rely on stereotypes.
Example: Someone who prefers quick, heuristic thinking may rely on stereotypes more than someone who prefers thorough analysis.
21. Self-Protection and Self-Enhancement Goals
Definition: The desire to protect one's self-esteem or boost self-image, which can lead to stereotyping others to feel better about oneself.
Example: A student might stereotype a peer from a different group as less competent to feel more confident in their own abilities.
22. Social Power
Definition: The capacity to influence others, which can increase reliance on stereotypes because powerful people often have less motivation to individuate others.
Example: A manager may rely on stereotypes about certain employees rather than taking the time to learn their specific skills and qualifications.
23. Ability to Inhibit Stereotyping
Definition: A person’s cognitive control and awareness, which helps them prevent stereotypes from influencing their behavior.
Example: Someone who is aware of their biases may actively prevent stereotypes from affecting how they treat others.
24. Stereotype Rebound
Definition: When efforts to suppress a stereotype result in the stereotype becoming even more accessible or stronger in the mind.
Example: Trying not to think about a stereotype may lead to that stereotype resurfacing more strongly later.
25. Rebound Effect
Definition: The increased expression of a stereotype after it has been suppressed for a time.
Example: After making a conscious effort to avoid thinking in a stereotypical way, a person might later revert to stronger stereotypical judgments.
26. Consequences of Stereotype Use
Definition: The effects of applying stereotypes in judgments or decisions, which can lead to biased behaviors and attitudes.
Example: A hiring manager might reject qualified candidates based on stereotypes about their race or gender.
27. Biased Interpretation of Behavior
Definition: When stereotypes influence how we interpret others' actions, often leading to unfair or inaccurate judgments.
Example: Interpreting a person’s assertiveness as aggression because they belong to a stereotyped group.
28. Shooter Bias
Definition: The tendency for individuals to be more likely to shoot (or assume danger from) individuals based on racial stereotypes.
Example: Police officers may mistakenly perceive unarmed Black individuals as threats due to ingrained stereotypes.
29. Biased Evaluation
Definition: When stereotypes influence the assessment of others, leading to unfair judgments.
Example: Giving a lower grade to a student because they belong to a group stereotyped as less intelligent.
30. Individuals and Cultural Artifacts
Definition: Stereotypes are not only applied to people but also to objects, traditions, or products associated with certain groups.
Example: Assuming that certain types of music or clothing are representative of a specific ethnic group.
31. Stereotype Maintenance and Change
Definition: The processes by which stereotypes are reinforced or altered based on new information.
Example: Meeting a kind and helpful elderly person may not change your stereotype about older people if you see them as an exception rather than evidence against the stereotype.
32. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Definition: When stereotypes lead individuals to behave in ways that cause others to conform to those stereotypes.
Example: If a teacher expects students from certain groups to perform poorly, they may offer them less support, leading to lower performance.
33. Subtyping Model
Definition: The process by which people create exceptions to a stereotype rather than revising the stereotype itself.
Example: Labeling a successful woman in a male-dominated field as an "exception" to the stereotype that women are less competent.
34. Concentrated Disconfirmation
Definition: When individuals who disconfirm stereotypes are seen as unusual or atypical, reinforcing the original stereotype.
Example: Viewing an exceptionally talented student from a minority group as an outlier rather than challenging the stereotype about their group.
35. Dispersed Confirmation
Definition: When multiple members of a stereotyped group disconfirm the stereotype, it is more likely to be revised or weakened.