Discrimination and Perception in Society

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Questions and Answers

How did the professors perceive the equally qualified female applicant compared to her male counterpart?

Equally competent and employable

More competent but less employable

Less competent and less employable (correct)

More competent and more employable

What was the difference in expected pay between the female and male applicants as indicated by the professors?

$3700 less for the female (correct)

Equal pay for both

$2000 less for the male

$3700 more for the female

Which of the following refers to positive or negative behavior directed toward a social group?

Inequality

Prejudice

Discrimination (correct)

Segregation

What is suggested by the evidence from studies comparing Black and White candidates?

Some employers engage in racial and sex discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the former South African system of apartheid?

Victimization of Blacks while preserving White power Signup and view all the answers

Despite many forms of discrimination being illegal, what still occurs in society?

Ill-treatment based on group memberships Signup and view all the answers

What does the term discrimination imply when a specific group is negatively treated?

Positive treatment for another group Signup and view all the answers

What is often focused on when discussing discrimination, even though other forms exist?

Negative behaviors against a specific group Signup and view all the answers

What ratio of positive to negative behaviors was reported by participants?

2:1 Signup and view all the answers

Which group did participants have a more favorable impression of?

Group A Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason participants formed an illusory correlation about Group B?

They had limited exposure to Group B. Signup and view all the answers

What type of behaviors are said to have the greatest impact on group impressions?

Doubly distinctive behaviors occurring together. Signup and view all the answers

How does the occurrence of distinctive characteristics influence perception?

It creates a stronger association with maladaptive behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the correspondence biases discuss in terms of group perception?

Social roles affect how we interpret group actions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome when observers judged criminal acts among groups?

They judged small groups to be more criminal. Signup and view all the answers

What tends to bias our perceptions of doctors and ministers?

Firsthand observations of their duties. Signup and view all the answers

What muscle activity is associated with positive responses in the task described?

Increased activity in the zygomatic muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method used to measure participants' responses in the tasks?

Measuring muscle activity with electrodes Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of names and words is more difficult for most White participants?

Black names with pleasant words Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the performance on the combined tasks vary?

It can be easy or difficult depending on the response combinations Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence number indicates an easier task for participants?

Sequence number 2 Signup and view all the answers

What traits are commonly associated with French Canadians by English Canadians?

Educated and dominant Signup and view all the answers

How do stereotypes impact the perception of men and women in leadership?

Men are often viewed as more likely to be leaders than women. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following stereotypes are commonly associated with Caucasian men, according to Russian views?

Brazen and flashy Signup and view all the answers

What is a common stereotype associated with women in general?

Weak and interested in children Signup and view all the answers

What emotions do group stereotypes often incorporate?

Mixed positive and negative emotions Signup and view all the answers

What stereotype do White adults in the U.S. still associate with Hispanics and Blacks?

Propensity to commit acts of violence Signup and view all the answers

According to the research mentioned, where have gender stereotypes been found?

In similar forms across multiple continents Signup and view all the answers

What behavior might be stereotypically expected from gay men?

Talkative and excitable Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion was most frequently reported in cross-group interactions?

Irritation Signup and view all the answers

What often causes anxiety during interactions between groups?

Lack of knowledge about other groups Signup and view all the answers

What stereotype do Blacks often face during interactions with Whites in the U.S.?

Incompetent Signup and view all the answers

What physiological indicator of stress was measured in the study involving White college students?

Cortisol activity Signup and view all the answers

Why does the desire to appear non-prejudiced create discomfort in cross-group interactions?

It triggers physiological stress responses. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of goals may different groups pursue during interactions that can lead to negative emotions?

To create an impression that counters stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following emotions is least likely to be felt in cross-group interactions?

Excitement Signup and view all the answers

What outcome was observed when White college students interacted with a Black research assistant?

Heightened stress levels for those motivated to appear non-prejudiced Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception upheld by members of dominant groups regarding inequality?

Inequality is a natural and just state. Signup and view all the answers

How do stereotypes linked to low-status groups function in society?

They help to justify status differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'just-world belief' as described in the content?

The belief that everyone deserves their fate regardless of circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What effect was demonstrated in the study involving a woman receiving painful electric shocks?

Students blamed her for her misfortune. Signup and view all the answers

Which groups are often subjected to derogatory views due to the just-world belief?

Victims of violence and illness. Signup and view all the answers

How do high-status groups typically perceive their competencies compared to low-status groups?

They view themselves as more competent. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of believing in just-world assumptions?

A tendency to blame victims for their situations. Signup and view all the answers

What role do stereotypes play in maintaining social inequalities?

They undermine efforts to promote equality. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Perceiving Groups

Social perception and prejudice
Discrimination is behaviour toward a social group and its members, either positive or negative.
Stereotypes: Mental representations of a social group, linking characteristics and emotions to a group.
Prejudice: A positive or negative evaluation of, or a feeling about, a social group.
Social discrimination may not fit laws but can still cause harm in situations like employment, purchasing a home, or salary negotiation.
Examples of targets of prejudice: race, religion, gender, age, social status, and cultural background.
Stereotypes can be positive or negative, and some reflect true differences in groups but in an exaggerated way.

Forming Impressions of Groups: Establishing Stereotypes

Stereotypes include characteristics of a group which can include physical appearance, goals, interests, opinions, etc. Some stereotypes reflect actual group differences, but in an exaggerated way. Others aren't accurate.
Example Stereotypes
- College students
- Accountants
- Truck Drivers
Stereotypes are based on mental images of what groups look like and what they do.
Stereotypes can sometimes be positive but can still be harmful and negative.
Example Positive Stereotype:
- Asian Americans are great students.
Problems with positive stereotypes
- They imply that everyone in the group is the same.
- They ignore the individuality of people in that group.
- They may be part of a pattern of paternalistic attitudes towards a group that might reinforce weakness and dependence within that group.

Seeking the Motives Behind Stereotyping

Early theorists: Prejudice and extreme negative stereotypes arise from deep inner conflicts in individuals.
Social psychologists have other motives:
- Mastery
- Connectedness to others
- Justifying inequalities

Motives for Forming Stereotypes: Mastery through Summarizing Personal Experiences

Stereotypes can be learned through direct personal experience or through media
Positive or negative emotions during interactions influence perceptions of groups.
Social roles influence group member behaviours that may be incorrectly assumed as characteristics of the group.

Motives for Forming Stereotypes: Justifying Inequalities.

Stereotypes are often used to justify existing social inequalities.
Stereotype usage can portray groups in a way to suggest their roles and positions are deserved.
Examples:
- In Taiwan, people from mainland China who fled the Communists still dominate.
- In the US, gaps exist between men and women and whites and people of colour.
It's thought that people believe the world is fair and meritocratic, thus bad situations are justified by the people involved and that they must have deserved it.

Using Stereotypes: From Preconceptions to Prejudice

Stereotypes can activate prejudice through pre-conceived ideas and judgments.
Stereotype effects become evident in quick judgments or emotional situations.
Confirmation of the stereotype is sought when given unclear or ambiguous information.
Stereotypes can be activated automatically.

Impact of Stereotypes on Judgments and Actions

Stereotypes can affect interpretations of behaviour.
They influence judgments under time pressure and high emotions.
Stereotypes can affect more serious judgments, such as the decision to shoot or not shoot.
Stereotypes can be activated automatically, potentially influencing life-or-death decisions.

Effects of Cognitive Capacity

Time pressure, stress, and lack of cognitive resources can increase reliance on stereotypes in judgments.

Intersectionality: Multiple dimensions of categorization influencing perceptions, like race and gender.
Overlapping stereotypes.
- Example: Black men
- Example: Asian women

Trying to Overcome Prejudice and Stereotype Effects

Suppressing stereotypes: Not always effective
Correcting biased judgments: Trying to be unbiased, but possible for judgments to be overly positive as a form of correction.
Activating counterstereotypic information: Can be effective by generating counter images.

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Description

This quiz explores the social dynamics related to gender perception, discrimination, and the consequences of apartheid. Participants will evaluate how equally qualified candidates are perceived differently based on gender and the implications of social behavior towards various groups. Test your understanding of these important social issues and current societal challenges.