Prejudice

2 What is the difference between: Race? Ethnicity? Minority Group?

3 Race Different characteristics are physical, innate, and biologically inherited Classifications are socially defined

4 Ethnic Group Different characteristics are cultural Language, food, values, religion, art, music, etc.

5 Minority Group Disadvantaged: Members excluded from full participation in society Held in low esteem: Socially isolated Membership is involuntary, ascribed Self-conscious: See themselves as set apart

6 A Sociological View of Intergroup Relations Amalgamation Melting pot; new cultural/genetic blend

7 A Sociological View of Intergroup Relations Assimilation Racial and ethnic minorities absorbed into the culture; differences disappear

8 A Sociological View of Intergroup Relations Pluralism Racial and ethnic groups maintain distinct identity; participate jointly in politics and economy

9 A Sociological View of Intergroup Relations Exploitation Racial and ethnic differences used to rationalize exploitation

10 A Sociological View of Intergroup Relations Ethnic Conflict Ethnocentrism combined with struggle for resources

11 We categorize others In-Group Social group to which a person belongs (“us”) We care about others’ welfare, cooperate with We feel we are alike Out-Group Social group to which a person does not belong (“them”) We don’t care about group members’ welfare We feel we are very different

12 Categorization Assimilation Differences within a category are minimized Contrast Differences between categories are exaggerated

13 Prejudice Positive or negative attitude towards individuals based on their membership in a particular social group Prejudgment

14 Prejudice is an Attitude A ffect Emotions

15 Prejudice is an Attitude A ffect B ehavioral Tendencies Inclination to act according to prejudice Discrimination: Positive or negative behavior directed toward the persons or groups who are targets of prejudice

16 Institutional Discrimination Systematic discrimination against a group of people (includes racism, sexism) Not necessarily the result of prejudice!

17 Institutional Discrimination Children of alumni receive preference for admission into some private colleges. Employees of a particular university are allowed free tuition, as are their spouses. A public hearing is held on the third floor of building without elevators. A fire department requires that applicants for the position of firefighter be 5'8" or taller.

18 Prejudice is an Attitude A ffect B ehavioral Tendencies C ognition Thoughts and beliefs Stereotypes: A cognitive framework that generalizes certain characteristics to all members of a specific social group

19 Stereotypes Often work as mental shortcuts Implicit stereotyping can ‘prime’ relevant behavior and attitudes (Bargh, Chen, & Burrows, 1996) Media stereotypes: Cumulative effect over time Stereotype threat: Anxiety that behavior might confirm a negative stereotype; hampers performance

20 Racial Prejudice Overt racial prejudice and discrimination are have declined significantly in the last 60 years Subtle prejudice: Non-obvious, arises when it’s ‘safe’ to express

21 Racial Prejudice Study: Applying stereotyping and prejudice to an ambiguous behavior Participants observe a videotape of a man lightly shoving another man during conversation White manBlack man13% Black manWhite man73%

22 Gender Prejudice Stereotypes of men and women Overt gender bias has been declining Subtle gender bias still exists

23 Where does prejudice come from? Social Sources Emotional Sources Cognitive Sources

24 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities Social inequalities Self-fulfilling prophecy Study 1: Do Whites treat African Americans and Whites differently? Participants interviewed a confederate for a job Confederate: African American or White

25 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities Social inequalities Self-fulfilling prophecy Results: Study 1 Interview length: AA < W Distance: AA > W Eye contact: AA < W Speech dysfluencies: AA > W

26 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities Social inequalities Self-fulfilling prophecy Study 2 Does differential treatment influence behavior? Confederates interviewed participant for job Treated participant like African Americans or Whites were treated in Study 1

27 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities Social inequalities Self-fulfilling prophecy Results Study 2: Participants treated like African Americans performed worse than participants treated like Whites

28 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities In-Group Bias In-Group Bias Viewing our in-group positively helps us feel good about ourselves Natural tendency to view out-group negatively

29 Social Sources of Prejudice Social inequalities In-Group Bias Institutional Supports Institutional Supports Reflect a culture’s assumptions Reinforce culture’s attitudes and stereotypes

30 Emotional Sources of Prejudice Realistic Group Conflict Theory Realistic Group Conflict Theory Frustration brings out hostility When cause of frustration is vague, hostility can be redirected Competing for resources brings out frustration and hostility Scapegoating: Group blamed for problems

31 Emotional Sources of Prejudice

32 Emotional Sources of Prejudice Realistic Group Conflict Theory Authoritarian Personality Theory Authoritarian Personality Theory Authoritarian submission Authoritarian submission A high degree of submission to authorities who are perceived to be established and legitimate Authoritarian aggression Authoritarian aggression A general aggressiveness, directed against various persons, that is perceived to be sanctioned by established authorities. Conventionalism Conventionalism A high degree of adherence to the social conventions that are perceived to be endorsed by society and its established authorities.

33 Cognitive Sources of Prejudice Categorization Categorization In-Groups and Out-Groups The Minimal Group Paradigm Out-Group Homogeneity Effect Out-Group Homogeneity Effect Members of an out-group perceived as similar

34 Cognitive Sources of Prejudice Categorization Distinctiveness Distinctiveness Distinctive occurrences, vivid examples are easily remembered

35 Cognitive Sources of Prejudice Categorization Distinctiveness Attribution Attribution Fundamental Attribution Error and Group-Serving Bias Just-World Phenomenon

36 Sherif’s Robbers Cave Study

37 Can prejudice be reduced? Contact Hypothesis What kind of intergroup contact would increase prejudice? Decrease prejudice? Cooperative contact Jigsaw classroom Formal education Selective perception Diversity training