Stereotype:
The social perception of an individual in terms of group membership or physical attributes.
Generalisation about the group is applied to members of the group. (Grain of Truth Hypothesis)
Categorisation and stereotyping is fundamental to human natures. It makes the world more applicable.
Stereotypes act as cognitive schemas in information processing.
Gatekeepers maintain the stereotype, e.g. media
Formation
Illusory correlation:
- we form false association between membership of a group and specific behaviours
- forms a cognitive bias. One illusory correlation is formed:
- we seek information that supports (conformation bias)
- we ignore information that challenges (conformation bias)
- Confirmation bias makes stereotypical thinking resistant to change
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Effects
Stereotype threat effect:
- occurs when one is in the situation where there is a threat of being judged stereotypically.
- fear of doing something that would confirm stereotype
- negative effect due to spotlight anxiety and self-fulfilling prophecy
Studies:
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