STEREOTYPESWhat are they?

How are they formed?

What are the effects

Starter

You are going to try and answer the following

questions about me;

• What does my mom do for a living?• What does my dad do for a living?• What is my favourite band?• What is my favourite hobby?• What is my favourite colour?

Stereotypes - definition

• A generalization that is made about a group and then attributed to members of that group.

• Can be positive or negative• Result of schema processing

Give some examples…

Augoustinos et al. (2006) – ‘a stereotype is a schema, with all the properties of schemas’

Activity

• Come up with 3 stereotypes to describe each of these pictures…

Social-cognitive approach• Social world is complex – too much information in the

world and we need to simplify• The social categorization we do is… Stereotypes

• Evidence from the previous activity???

Stereotypes are:- Energy-saving devices- Automatically activated- Stable and resistant to change- Affect our behavior

Augoustinos et al. (2006)

Formation of Stereotypes

Formation

Developed indirectly by gatekeepers (the media, parents, and other members of our culture)

Developed directly through conditioning Association to a stimulus

Formation of stereotypes• What does Tajfel say?

• Result of social categorization (explains ethnocentrism and ‘in-group’ favoritism)

• Limitation – does not explain how it actually happens

• What does Campbell (1967) say?• Result of The Grain of Truth Hypothesis• One interaction with a member of a group will be

generalized to all members

• What do Fisk & Tyler say?• Result of Cognitive Misers – Hueristics/shortcuts• ‘We tend not to stray too far from previously held

beliefs when processing new information’

Effects of Stereotyping• Labeling & Self-fulfilling prophecy • Development of prejudice and ‘the –isms’• Stereotype Threats & Spotlight Anxieties• Confirmation Bias

• Spense et al (1999)• Steele & Aronson (1995)• Jane Elliott (1968) “Brown Eyes; Blue Eyes”

Stereotype research

•Dangers of stereotype research:• Social desirability effect (don’t want to appear rude and want to remain ‘politically correct’)

• False consensus bias (the assumption that others agree with you when making an assumption)

Limitations

Possible SAQ

• Explain one theory as to how stereotypes are formed using one research study. (8 marks)

Intro & Key Terms

Conclusion/ Connection

Main Body & Examination of A Study