Explain the Formation of Explain the Formation of Stereotypes and Their Effect on Stereotypes and Their Effect on

BehaviourBehaviourBy Mr Daniel HanssonBy Mr Daniel Hansson

Questions for discussionQuestions for discussion1.1. Take the implicit association test at Take the implicit association test at

http://www.understandingprejudice.org/iat/http://www.understandingprejudice.org/iat/2.2. Which groups of people do you hold stereotypes of?Which groups of people do you hold stereotypes of?3.3. Select three or four groups of people about whom you tend Select three or four groups of people about whom you tend

to hold stereotypes, and list the adjectives you might use to to hold stereotypes, and list the adjectives you might use to describe these groups.describe these groups.

4.4. Where do you think your stereotypes come from?Where do you think your stereotypes come from?5.5. Are stereotypes always harmful? Can they be useful?Are stereotypes always harmful? Can they be useful?6.6. Who is more likely to be stereotyped in a society?Who is more likely to be stereotyped in a society?7.7. Think of some instances when others have stereotyped Think of some instances when others have stereotyped

you. Why do you think this happened?you. Why do you think this happened?8.8. How did you feel when you thought you were being How did you feel when you thought you were being

stereotyped?stereotyped?

What is a stereotype?What is a stereotype?

A schema or set of beliefs or expectations A schema or set of beliefs or expectations about a person based on his group about a person based on his group membership.membership.

Explanations of stereotypingExplanations of stereotyping

Schematic processingSchematic processing Illusory correlationIllusory correlation Social identity theorySocial identity theory

Illusory correlationIllusory correlation Illusory correlation:Illusory correlation: A behaviour is linked to a particular A behaviour is linked to a particular

group although it bears little or no relationship with that group although it bears little or no relationship with that particular group. E.g. women’s math abilityparticular group. E.g. women’s math ability

When two rare events occur at the same time, they are When two rare events occur at the same time, they are more likely to be perceived as related (e.g. 2012 and The more likely to be perceived as related (e.g. 2012 and The End of the World, End of the World, Friday 13Friday 13thth and bad luck, Full moon and and bad luck, Full moon and insanity, minority groups and criminal behaviourinsanity, minority groups and criminal behaviour))

Once illusory correlations are made, people tend to Once illusory correlations are made, people tend to overlook information that contradicts what they already overlook information that contradicts what they already believe and pay attention to behaviours that confirm what believe and pay attention to behaviours that confirm what they believe (they believe (confirmation biasconfirmation bias))

Social identity theorySocial identity theory

We naturally categorize other people into in We naturally categorize other people into in groups and out groupsgroups and out groups

It is an automatic, unconscious processIt is an automatic, unconscious process

Effect on behaviour: Stereotype Effect on behaviour: Stereotype threatthreat

Occurs when a person who is exposed to a Occurs when a person who is exposed to a stereotype is negatively affected in her stereotype is negatively affected in her performanceperformance

Stereotype threats turns on Stereotype threats turns on spotlight spotlight anxietyanxiety, which causes emotional distress , which causes emotional distress and pressure that may undermine and pressure that may undermine performanceperformance

Supporting researchSupporting research

Stereotyping:Stereotyping: Karlins (1969), Martin & Karlins (1969), Martin & HalvarsonHalvarson

Illusory correlation:Illusory correlation: Hamilton & Gifford Hamilton & Gifford (1976)(1976)

Social identity theory: Social identity theory: Rogers & Frantz Rogers & Frantz (1962)(1962)

Stereotype threat:Stereotype threat: Steele & Aronson Steele & Aronson (1995)(1995)