Chapter 6: Prejudice and Chapter 6: Prejudice and DiscriminationDiscrimination

Defining TerminologyDefining Terminology

Prejudice- negative attitude toward members of some social group Sexism- prejudice based on gender Racism- prejudice based on race

Discrimination- negative behaviors directed toward members of some social group

AgendaAgenda

Sources of Prejudice Discrimination Reducing Prejudice

Sources of PrejudiceSources of Prejudice

Social Sources Unequal Status Social Identity

Cognitive Sources Stereotypes Perceived Similarities and Differences Illusory Correlation

Social Sources of PrejudiceSocial Sources of Prejudice Unequal Status

realistic conflict theory - direct competition between groups over valued resources (jobs, schools)

Robber’s Cave Experiment Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Racial Violence and Economic ConditionsRacial Violence and Economic Conditions

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Social Sources of PrejudiceSocial Sources of Prejudice

Social Identity social categorization- divide world into in-

group (“us”) and out-group (“them”) in-group bias- view own group more favorably ultimate attribution error- “group” serving bias

In-Group BiasIn-Group Bias

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DiscriminationDiscriminationDiscrimination- negative behaviors directed toward

members of some social group subtle forms

tokenism- perform trivial actions for minorities reverse discrimination- leaning over backwards to

treat targets of prejudice favorably “modern” racism

denial that discrimination is a problem antagonism to demands of minorities resentment over special favors for minorities

6.6Baron & Byrne- Social Psychology 9/e, Allyn and Bacon

Cognitive Sources of PrejudiceCognitive Sources of Prejudice

“prejudice is by-product of our thinking processes”

stereotypes- sweeping generalizations of social groups influence social thought by:

process information consistent with stereotype quicker focus on information consistent with stereotype use tacit inferences to make inconsistent information

appear consistent

Cognitive Sources of PrejudiceCognitive Sources of Prejudice out-group homogeneity

out-group members seen as more alike in-group differentiation

in-group members seen as more diverse (heterogeneous) illusory correlations

overestimating rates of negative behavior in minority groups

Reducing PrejudiceReducing Prejudice Social Learning

teach parents to socialize children to be tolerant Increase intergroup contact

contact must involve cooperation and interdependence norms favoring group equality must exist focus on individual-based (vs. category) processing

Extended Contact Hypothesis knowing that members of in-group have formed

friendships with out-group members may reduce prejudice

6.10Baron & Byrne- Social Psychology 9/e, Allyn and Bacon

Reducing Prejudice (con’t)Reducing Prejudice (con’t)

Have groups work on superordinate goals Focus on similarities between in-group and

nonthreatening out-group Recategorization

reset boundaries between “us” and “them”, so former out-group is now included in in-group

Focus on others’ specific traits and outcomes (attribute-driven processing) rather than on group stereotypes (category-driven processing)

6.11Baron & Byrne- Social Psychology 9/e, Allyn and Bacon