Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Stereotypes are beliefs about the typical characteristics of members of a group. Prejudice is the evaluation of a group or of an individual based on membership in a group. Prejudice commonly is based on race or ethnicity, but also may be based on socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, weight or physical appearance, sexual orientation, age, disability, and/or other such characteristics. Discrimination is the behavioral component of prejudice, typically demonstrated by negative behavior toward a person based on prejudicial attitudes. Together, these three concepts in social psychology result in highly destructive beliefs, behaviors, and interactions about, toward, and with others. If discrimination is to be reduced in society, it is essential to understand where prejudice comes from, how it is sustained, and how it can be reduced.
To prepare:
- Review Chapter 13 in your course text, Social Psychology, focusing on how people learn prejudice, common motives for prejudice, and the various theories of prejudice.
- Select a twentieth- or twenty-first-century example of prejudice against a group in which you are not a member. For your example, think about the stereotype that leads to the prejudice and the resulting negative behaviors (discrimination). In other words, how does the prejudice depicted in your example impact individuals and society? How can the prejudice be reduced?
By Day 3
Provide an explanation of one twentieth- or twenty-first-century example of prejudice against a specific group and identify associated stereotypes and discriminatory behaviors. You should not be a member of the group and you should not actively oppose the group in your Discussion. Explain an effect of this prejudice on individuals or society. Use specific examples. Then, apply elements of theory from your readings to explain a cause of this specific prejudice and to recommend a means of reducing this specific prejudice, either at the individual or societal level.
Please make use of the textbook and the provided resources. Thank you.
Sources:
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Sommers, S. (2016).
Social psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
- Chapter 10, “Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships”
- Chapter 13, “Prejudice: Causes, Consequences, and Cures”
Choose two or more of the following articles for review, of which you then write about one:
Arends-Tóth, J., & van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2009). Cultural differences in family, marital, and gender-role values among immigrants and majority members in the Netherlands.
International Journal of Psychology, 44(3), 161–169.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Farrer, J., Tsuchiya, H., & Bagrowicz, B. (2008). Emotional expression in tsukiau dating relationships in Japan.
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(1), 169–188.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Hiew, D. N., Kim Halford, W., van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Liu, S. (2015). Relationship standards and satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and Intercultural Chinese-Western couples in Australia.
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46(5), 684–701.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Madathil, J., & Benshoff, J. (2008). Importance of marital characteristics and marital satisfaction: A comparison of Asian Indians in arranged marriages and Americans in marriages of choice.
Family Journal, 16(3), 222–230.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Remennick, L. (2005). Cross-cultural dating patterns on an Israeli campus: Why are Russian immigrant women more popular than men?
Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22(4), 435–454.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Yarhouse, M., & Nowacki, S. (2007). The many meanings of marriage: Divergent perspectives seeking common ground.
Family Journal, 15(1), 36–45.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Required Media
Davidson, J. (Director), & Davidson, F. (Producer). (2005).
Mary Ainsworth: Attachment and the growth of love [Video file]. Palo Alto, CA: Davidson Films. Retrieved from
http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://se…
This video demonstrates attachment and the importance of close relationships. A baby monkey uses a cloth mother as a safe haven and a secure base, rather than the nutrition-providing wire monkey.Scroll down past “Segments” until you get to “Clips.” The required 20-second video clip is titled Harlow’s Monkey clip. The entire video is approximately 37 minutes.
Optional Resources
Document: Week 5 Study Guide (PDF)
Devine, P. G., Forscher, P. S., Austin, A. J., & Cox, W. L. (2012). Long-term reduction in implicit race bias: A prejudice habit-breaking intervention.
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(6), 1267–1278. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC360368…
Marti, M., Bobier, D., & Baron, R. (2000). Right before our eyes: The failure to recognize non-prototypical forms of prejudice.
Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 3(4), 403–418.
Miller, S. L., Zielaskowski, K., & Plant, E. A. (2012). The basis of shooter biases beyond cultural stereotypes.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(10), 1358–1366.
Langfitt, F. (2015, March 26).
Modern love in China: Shaking your smartphone to find your soul mate [Audio file]. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/03/26/3…
