Whistling Vivaldi Chapters 1-8 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author's name?

Claude Steele

Why did Brent Staples whistle Beatles' tunes and Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons?

To keep white people from thinking that he was a criminal.

Why were President Lawrence Summers's remarks about women controversial?

He stated that genetic differences influenced performance in high-level math classes.

Describe the golf experiment involving black and white students.

White students told the task measured natural athletic ability performed worse; black students told it measured strategic intelligence also performed worse. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'chilly climate' refer to in relation to women in college-level math classes?

Women felt stigmatized and underperformed in advanced math classes. Signup and view all the answers

How can the media contribute to 'psychic damage'?

By repeatedly presenting negative images that distort reality. Signup and view all the answers

How did the author recreate the Jane Elliott experiment?

Strong students took a math test with some unaware of gender differences, leading to different performance outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'identity contingencies'.

The things you must deal with in a situation due to your social identity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of minimal group effects?

A tendency to favor one's own group at the expense of others. Signup and view all the answers

What does overefforting imply?

The belief that one has to be twice as good to be considered equal. Signup and view all the answers

What stereotype threat did Ted McDougal experience?

Fear of being seen as racially insensitive. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Capilano Bridge experiment reveal?

More men crossed the bridge to contact an attractive female for information. Signup and view all the answers

What are contingency cues?

Indicators based on marginality, power, prejudice, and inclusiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Amin Maalouf?

An author who wrote 'In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong'. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Anatole Broyard?

A New York Times book reviewer who passed for white. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Author Background

Author Claude Steele is a social psychologist known for researching race, stereotypes, and their effects on behavior and success.

Book Title Significance

The title refers to Brent Staples, an African-American graduate student, who whistled to counteract racial stereotypes while walking through affluent neighborhoods.

Controversial Remarks

Harvard's President Lawrence Summers controversially suggested that genetic differences might affect women's performance in high-level math.

Golf Experiment Insights

White students informed that a golf task measured natural ability performed worse than those without this cue.
Black students, told the task measured "sports strategic intelligence," also performed worse, highlighting the impact of stereotype threat.

Chilly Climate Concept

Women reported a "chilly climate" in advanced math classes which contributed to their underperformance, in contrast to experiences in English classes with less stigma.

Impact of Media on Psychic Damage

Negative media portrayals reinforce harmful stereotypes, which can overshadow positive aspects of a group's identity.

Jane Elliott Experiment Recreation

An experiment with strong male and female math students showcased that under threat of stereotype confirmation, women underperformed compared to men.

Key Terms Defined

Identity Contingencies: Challenges faced due to one's social identity.
Minimal Group Effects: Favoring one's group at the expense of others, leading to discrimination for self-esteem purposes.
Overefforting: The belief that individuals must be exceptionally good to be seen as equal, leading to inefficient cognitive resource use.
Lingering Effects: Strong emotions are more readily identifiable compared to moderate emotions.
Critical Mass: The number of minority group members required for them to feel comfortable, though it does not solve underlying issues.

Ted McDougal's Experience

Stereotype threat impacted Ted McDougal, a white student in an African-American politics class, causing anxiety about being perceived as racially insensitive rather than unintelligent.

Capilano Bridge Experiment

More men who crossed the scary Capilano Bridge reached out to an attractive female for information, suggesting heightened emotion influences behavior.

Contingency Cues Explained

Marginality: Presence of similar identities in a setting.
Power: Authority positions held by individuals with similar identities.
Prejudice: Use of insensitive symbols.
Inclusiveness: Lack of representation for one's group in media and activities.

Amin Maalouf's Contribution

Author of In the Name of Identity: Violence and the Need to Belong, examining terrorism related to social identity.

Anatole Broyard's Identity Impact

A New York Times book reviewer who passed as white during a time of overt racial discrimination, exploring the complexities of racial identity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the first eight chapters of 'Whistling Vivaldi' by Claude Steele. This quiz focuses on key concepts such as the author's background and the significance of the book's title. Perfect for those studying social psychology and racial dynamics in society.