Asma Shabbir

Ph.d Scholar Lecture 2

Stereotypes

Stereotyping

Measuring Stereotype Activation: Semantic Priming Tasks

Definitions
Assigning identical characteristics to any person in a group, regardless of the actual variation among members of that group Not necessarily intended to be abusive, may even be a positive stereotype They are mental shortcuts like the representative heuristic But, if they rob us of our individuality that may be problematic Remember the dangers of de individuation

Stereotype Components
Culturally shared beliefs cognitive component (beliefs) affective component (feelings) behavioural component (actions) Categorical associations men are ?

Are Stereotypes Adaptive?

First impressions Categorizing groups Status quo Tends to form from limited personal/individual exposure
The more information we have about someone the less stereotypes influence
Works with gender too! Behavior & personality become more important

Development of Stereotypes
Begins at age 3 Starts with ones own sex, then generalizes Flexible application of stereotypes decreases with age

Age-Related Trends
Very young Labeling comes first Less stereotyping than older children Models consistency contributes to rigid role expectations Older children More flexibility w/ greater exposure Tendency to stereotype always present

Stereotyping Isnt Good For Us

exert power and control Position of power over others Helps to maintain status quo

Evaluating Stereotypes
Attitudes
Explicit (open) or Implicit (hidden)

Systematic judgments combat stereotypes

Richer, across time/situations, etc. Take time and repeated exposure

Prescriptive function of stereotypes

Defined as beliefs about what category members ideally ought to be like Prescriptive stereotypes justify or rationalize a social system of inequality

Enables perceivers to justify their own and their groups beliefs about the conduct of others Legitimizes long standing social practices and status hierarchies

 Ensures that people gravitate toward roles and levels of status considered appropriate for their gender (or race).

Prescriptions

Men depend on women to perform primary domestic and child care responsibilities

Prescriptive stereotypes for Blacks: uncle tom; to keep the system running, whites encouraged prescriptive ideals for blacks that matched the roles they depended on blacks to play

Gender role and status distinctions create prescriptions The prescription that men should be strong and bold reinforces their higher status gender role

Jost & Hamilton: Review of Social Cognition

Stereotypes influence cognition: Serve as expectations
Direct attention to certain aspects of available information Color the interpretation of that information Influence the way the information is retained in memory Serve as hypotheses that are favored in the interpretation of new information

Who gets stereotyped?

Wheel of oppression and Peggy McIntosh
Whats normative, desired, and/or most usual in your society? What is expected and regular? Whats standard?

WHITE Race

AB Ab LE il it y
H IS W n JE gio eli R

P P
HETERO

E AL M FE nder Ge
MID Cl a D L E ss

AB Ab LE ility
N TIA IS H R io n C g eli R

WHITE Race

P P
HETERO S.O .

LE M A nd er Ge UP P Cla ER ss

S.O.

FROM GENDER ROLES TO STEREOTYPES

Gender roles
Activities Defined by behaviors

Gender stereotypes
Categorical Defined by beliefs and attitudes about masculinity and femininity
Psychological behavior and characteristics Appropriate activities

Myths & Media

Major Mythological Themes
Male as Powerful Male as Normative Female as Evil Female as Giver of Life Female as Sexual Being

Media Reflection of Myths Importance?

Representations of Boys & Men Representations of Girls & Women