1. Subjective Perception: Attribution theory and Prejudice

2. Assumptions of Social Psychology: 1.The Power of the Situation 2.Subjective Perceptions Guide Behavior, not Objective Reality

3. Perceptions of others Attribution = a claim about the cause of someone’s behavior situational attributions situational attributions dispositional attributions dispositional attributions

4. Attribution Theory Fundamental attribution error self-serving bias

5. Attribution Theory Just-world hypothesis Blaming the victim Blaming the victim

6. Stereotypes characteristics believed to be shared by a whole group of people-schemas can become building blocks of prejudice

7. Prejudice vs. Discrimination Prejudice = an attitude Discrimination = a behavior

8. Fuel for Prejudice dehumanization outgroup homogeneity bias ethnocentrism (ingroup bias) attribution theory- the just world

9. Realistic Group Conflict Theory Prejudice arises when groups compete for scarce resources 1. increased hostility towards outgroup consensual paranoia consensual paranoia 2. intensification of group loyalty

10. Example: Sherif (1954/1961) The Robbers Cave Experiment Method: Competition vs. Cooperation

11. Social Identity Theory US vs. THEM mentality self-esteem depends on social identity Self-esteem can be heightened by seeing one’s own group (US) as better than another group (THEM).

12. Tajfel’s Minimal Group Procedure Arbitrary division into groups No interaction, either within groups or between groups No chance for self-benefit

13. How can Prejudice be reduced? persuasioneducation social norms of equality intergroup contact?