Lecture on Stereotyping and Its Effects

Introduction

• Stereotyping Definition: Attributing a certain cognitive characteristic to a group and overgeneralizing.
• Examples of Stereotyping:
  • Glasses associated with intelligence.
  • City dwellers perceived as rude.

Characteristics of Stereotyping

• All-encompassing: Can involve race, gender, culture, religion, etc.
• Disadvantages:
  • It's inaccurate.
• Advantages:
  • Allows rapid assessment of social information.

Stereotype Threat

• Definition: Exposure to a negative stereotype can decrease performance.
• Example with Students:
  • Red and blue students perform equally.
  • When negative stereotypes about blue students are introduced, their performance drops.

From Stereotyping to Discrimination

• Cognitive to Affective to Behavioral Transition:
  • Cognition: Initial thought (e.g., city dwellers are rude).
  • Affective: Developing dislike (prejudice).
  • Behavioral: Avoidance (discrimination).

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

• Cycle Explanation:
  • Avoidance leads to a perception of rudeness from city dwellers.
  • City dwellers develop similar thoughts, emotions, and behaviors towards us.
• Result: Original stereotype becomes more affirmed due to our actions.
• Conclusion:
  • Our initial stereotypes can create a cycle that makes them appear more true over time.