1. How do STs form & effect behaviour

2. How do you define ‘stereotype’?
Quick think:
How do you define ‘stereotype’?
When they are on, do you watch the Olympics? Any stereotypes that exist?
Any purpose to STs? Are they all bad?

4. Some vocabulary…
Define ‘stereotype’ (ST)– you have many definitions, memorize 1. Aronson et al (2007) ‘widely held generalizations about a group’
Assigning similar characteristics to all members of a group, despite variance/indiv differences
Often based on visual cues (age, sex, phys att’s)
STs  age, ethnic, work related, cultural ‘Canadians are nice and apologize about everything.’ ;)

5. Some vocabulary… Function of STs
Social cognitive framework (note relatedness to schematic understanding):
Cognitively helpful – time/energy savers with complex, relentless stimuli. Like schemas, they help us figure out our worlds
Automatic activation  this means we lack control over them
STs are stable as part of our dispositions; not easy to break them down
STs directly affect our behaviour

6. Part 1 of Q  How do STs form? Some vocabulary…(check your def’s)
Gatekeepers: mechanisms that allow info through (media, parents, friends  those in our cultural groups)
Grain of truth hypothesis (Campbell, 1967)  STs can be based in truth
Are women sometimes poorer drivers than men? Do men drive more? Do women drive in all cultures?
Illusory correlation/cognitive biases  STs result from perception of relationships b/w 2 variables when there is none. Example?
Confirmation bias  Overlooking contrary info to a ST; selective attention
In/out group mentality: Tajfel & relevant SIT explanation

7. Part 2 of Q  How do STs effect behaviour?
Behaviours can reflect bias/error
Social behaviours can become narrowed in focus
Ie: seeking out company of like minded individuals
Behaviour can be less controlled by the individual – automation of Bargh’s results. Often research focuses on attitudes/reactions on surveys. These results show that STs may be physically, uncosciusly manifested, also.

8. Automatic stereotype activation Role of schemas
Bargh et al (1996)
Automatic stereotype activation
Role of schemas

9. Method: Lab Exp Procedure:
Part’s asked to complete 30 item test (lang proficiency)
In 30 item test, groups of 5 unrelated words to each item
(piano = item), 5 words follow
Asked to use 4 of 5 words to form correct sentence (semantic use)

10. Condition 1:
Part’s exposed to 5 words related to elderly stereotype activation
slow
senile
frail
hunchback
toothless
wise
(*I don’t know how many of the 30 items/5 word clusters related to ‘elderly’ – we need the original)

11. Condition 2:
Part’s exposed to 5 words unrelated to elderly stereotype – ie:
Thirsty
Clean
Private
Trash
Water

12. IV: word exposure (related to random items or elderly people)

13. After tasks, part’s directed to elevator; confederate timed the walk (DV) This study makes it simple to talk about one effect of activated ST

14. Results:
Those who had elderly ST activated with 5 words walked slower than others DV = timed walk (seconds)
Priming took place at unconscious level
Thoughts?
Easily quantifiable, operationalized variables (timed walking (seconds)
Does slower walking actually reflect ST activation?

15. How do STs form?
The ST formed due to previous knowledge; schematic understanding/memory, possibly grain of truth due to elderly schemas/experience w/elderly. Are they slower??
Do we socially categorize elderly based on physical properties – ie: speed of walking, appearance
Is confirmation bias at work – do we look for evidence of elderly STs based on physical attributes (walking, grey hair, wrinkles) and/or perceptions (wise, learned, grumpy, friendly?)
portrayals via gatekeepers (media, movies, adverts, family)
The results suggested effect on behaviour in terms of physical movement -- slower walking!