Psychology of Prejudice and Stereotypes

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Questions and Answers

What impact do stereotypes have on parole decisions according to the study mentioned?

They may lead to harsher decisions based on the crime's alignment with stereotypes. (correct)

They ensure fair consideration of all evidence.

They improve the accuracy of parole decisions.

They have no effect on the decision-making process.

Which factor did the parole officers primarily overlook due to stereotypes?

Seriousness of the crime

Good behavior while in prison

Life circumstances of the prisoner

Racial and ethnic stereotypes (correct)

How did the treatment of black patients in the psychiatric hospital compare to that of white patients?

Physical restraints were used more often against white patients.

Black patients received harsher treatment despite similar behavior. (correct)

There was a significantly more humane treatment for black patients.

All patients received the same level of care regardless of race.

Why can negative stereotypes be seen as comforting for some individuals?

They provide justification for an unequal social structure. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of biased thinking in everyday life as suggested by the findings?

Worsening treatment disparities in medical settings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of being a target of prejudice based on the experiences shared in the content?

Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components does NOT constitute prejudice?

Positive reinforcement of group members Signup and view all the answers

What does Gordon Allport's work suggest about deeply prejudiced individuals?

They create new mental categories to protect their views Signup and view all the answers

What trend regarding public admissions of prejudice has been observed in recent decades?

Decline in willingness to admit prejudices Signup and view all the answers

What type of prejudice does the example of Tennie Pierce highlight?

Interpersonal prejudice in workplace settings Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes prejudice the best?

A negative attitude based on faulty generalizations Signup and view all the answers

What is one way in which hate crimes manifest as a form of prejudice?

As overt expressions of hostility and violence Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements reflects a common misconception about prejudice?

All individuals are aware of their prejudices. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary effect of prejudice on perception?

It leads to generalizations about groups. Signup and view all the answers

How does suppressing prejudice impact mental health?

It can lead to mental fatigue. Signup and view all the answers

What can trigger the expression of suppressed prejudices?

Depletion of cognitive resources. Signup and view all the answers

Why do people seek justifications for their prejudices?

To avoid cognitive dissonance. Signup and view all the answers

What function do stereotypes serve in social interactions?

They simplify complexities of social categorization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential danger of relying on stereotypes?

They can blind us to individual differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way stereotypes can distort our interpretations?

By leading to biased treatment of individuals. Signup and view all the answers

How do unconscious biases impact social perceptions?

They automatically influence thoughts and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prejudice

Prejudice is a hostile or negative attitude towards a distinct group based on generalizations derived from faulty or incomplete information.
It consists of three components: cognitive (stereotypes and beliefs), emotional (dislike or hostility), and behavioral (predisposition to discriminate).

Feeling v.s. Expressing Prejudice

Prejudice is often suppressed due to its perceived bias, but suppressing it can be mentally taxing.
When cognitive resources are depleted, prejudice may leak out.
People struggle with the conflict between expressing prejudice and maintaining a positive self-concept.

Stereotypes

Stereotyping is the generalization of characteristics, motives, or behavior to an entire group of people.
Stereotypes are not always intentional or negative, but often serve as a way humans organize and simplify the complexities of our social world.
Stereotypes can be adaptive, shorthand ways of dealing with complex events, but if they blind us to individual differences within a class, it can be harmful and potentially dangerous.

Stereotypes and Prejudice

Stereotyping can lead to judgments that overlook or give insufficient weight to information that does not fit the stereotype.
Negative stereotypes can be comforting and help justify an unfair system where some people are on the top and some are on the bottom.
Biased thinking can have harmful consequences in everyday life.

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Description

Explore the complex nature of prejudice and stereotypes in this quiz. Understand the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components of prejudice and the challenges of expressing it. Delve into how stereotypes function in our social interactions and their impact on perceptions.