Lecture Notes: Stereotyping and Stereotype Threat

Introduction

• Stereotyping: Assigning specific traits or behavioral characteristics to a whole group based on limited information.
• Examples:
  • People with glasses look intelligent.
  • City dwellers are rude.

Attributes of Stereotyping

• Stereotyping is an overgeneralization.
• Can be related to:
  • Appearance (e.g., glasses)
  • Living situation (e.g., cities)
  • Race, gender, culture, religion, shoe size

Disadvantages

• Inaccuracy: Stereotyping simplifies complex human characteristics, leading to false assumptions.

Advantages

• Efficiency: Allows rapid assessment of social information, helping navigate social environments quickly.

Stereotype Threat

• Definition: Exposure to negative stereotypes can negatively affect an individual's performance in tasks.
• Example: Red vs. Blue Students
  • Under normal conditions, both groups score equally.
  • When negative stereotypes about Blue students are introduced, Blue students’ performance drops.

The Cognitive-Affective-Behavioral Cycle

• Cognition: Thought process or belief (e.g., City dwellers are rude).
• Affect: Emotional response (e.g., I don't like city dwellers).
• Behavior: Action taken in response (e.g., Avoiding city dwellers).

Transition from Stereotyping to Discrimination

• Stereotyping (Cognition) → Prejudice (Affect) → Discrimination (Behavior)

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

• Cycle Explanation:

  1. Initial thought (e.g., City dwellers are rude).
  2. Emotional response affects actions (avoiding city dwellers).
  3. City dwellers perceive avoidance and avoid in return, confirming the initial stereotype.

• Result: Initial stereotype strengthens over time due to behavioral reinforcement.