In-Depth Notes on Prejudice, Discrimination, Aggression, and Relationships from Social Psychology

Prejudice & Discrimination

• Definition: Root causes of human conflict
  • Harm & Hate

Key Differences

• Prejudice:
  • Negative attitude/feeling toward someone based on group membership.
  • Example social groups: gender, race, favorite sports teams.
• Stereotype:
  • Specific belief about someone based on group membership, leading to overgeneralizations.
• Discrimination:
  • Negative actions toward someone due to group membership.
  • Can also include preferential treatment for in-group members.

Types of Prejudice & Discrimination

• Racism:

  • Based on racial group membership.
  • Types: Explicit (conscious) vs. Implicit (unconscious).

• Sexism:

  • Prejudice against individuals based on gender.
  • Gender role expectations affect treatment and opportunities.

• Ageism:

  • Bias against individuals due to age.
  • Stereotypes about older adults and younger adults, cultural influences.

• Homophobia:

  • Prejudice against individuals based on sexual orientation, involving severe harm.

Causes of Prejudice & Discrimination

• Social Learning:
  • Children acquire prejudices from society (parents, friends, media).
• Conformity:
  • Normative pressures encourage shared prejudiced beliefs.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

• Definition:
  • Stereotypes lead to expectations that influence behavior confirming the stereotype.
• Confirmation Bias:
  • Focus on information consistent with stereotypes while ignoring contradictory evidence.

In-Groups and Out-Groups

• In-group:
  • Group we identify with (preference leads to bias).
• Out-group:
  • Group perceived as different, leading to negative labeling and treatment.

Aggression

• Definition: Trying to cause harm to others.
• Types:
  • Hostile: anger-driven;
  • Instrumental: goal-oriented (e.g., gaining popularity).
• Evolutionary perspective:
  • Males vs. females in expressions of aggression.

Bullying

• Definition: Repeated negative treatment over time.
  • Types: Physical, verbal, psychological.
  • Impact: anxiety, depression, suicide risk.

Cyberbullying

• Characteristics: Covert, anonymous, and more prevalent among girls.
  • Victims experience a range of negative emotions and potential suicidal feelings.

Bystander Effect

• Definition: Observers fail to help a victim due to diffusion of responsibility (believing someone else will help).

Prosocial Behavior

• Definition: Voluntary actions intended to help others.
  • Altruism: Helping despite costs; distinctions between altruism and egoism (self-serving motives).

Forming Relationships

• Similarity:
  • The idea that opposites do not attract; similarity limits exposure to diversity.
• Complementarity & Reciprocity: Essential for relationship development.

Attraction Factors

• Physical Features:
  • Women: large eyes, high cheekbones, slender build;
  • Men: tall, broad shoulders, narrow waist.
• Social Traits: Women prefer warmth; men look for achievement.
• Matching Hypothesis: Tendency to pair with those of similar attractiveness.

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love

• Components of Love:
  1. Liking: Friendships without intense passion.
  2. Infatuated Love: Intense love without commitment.
  3. Empty Love: Commitment remains, but lacking intimacy/passion.
  4. Romantic Love: Emotional bonding and passion.
  5. Companionate Love: Affection and commitment without passion.
  6. Fatuous Love: Quick commitment based on passion.
  7. Consummate Love: Ideal relationship with intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Relationship Challenges

• Difficulties in Relationships:
  • Discussion prompted by video content.