Social: Key concept 3

Question 1

Discrimination

Answer 1

Harmful behaviour directed at groups or individuals because they share characteristics.

Question 2

In groups

Answer 2

Most humans have a strong desire to belong, so it is easy for us to think of ourselves as a member of a group.

Question 3

Out groups

Answer 3

We draw strict boundaries between categories, if you are part of one group, there will usually be another group you are not part of.

Question 4

Prejudice

Answer 4

A negative attitude towards a group or an individual because they are a member of that group.

Question 5

Social categorisation

Answer 5

Putting people into social groupings based on their shared characteristics.

Question 6

Stereotypes

Answer 6

Fixed views of other people based on their perceived membership of a social category.

Question 7

Positive effects of stereotypes

Answer 7

Simplify our interactions with other people in a complex social world. We assume the individuals we meet share the stereotyped characteristics of a social category, which saves time and cognitive processing effort.

Question 8

Negative effect of stereotypes

Answer 8

Influence behaviour because they are self fulfilling. We end up behaving towards other people in line with our stereotypes of them.

Question 9

Practical applications evaluation

Answer 9

Strength of understanding in groups and out groups is that we can take steps to reduce prejudice. For example, encouraging people to perceive themselves as part of a bigger social category instead of smaller ones. This emphasises similarities and lessens psychological distance between in groups and out groups, reducing the influence of stereotypes. Therefore, there are several ways we can counteract the negative effects of social categorisation and stereotyping to reduce prejudice.

Question 10

Research support evaluation

Answer 10

Strength is there is psychological research showing the effects of stereotypes on memory. For example, Allport and Postman showed participants a drawing that reversed a well known stereotype. The image was viewed by a participant, who described it to another and so on for six or seven participants. This shows that a racist stereotype can bias memory in a way that supports the stereotype.

Question 11

Alternative explanations evaluation

Answer 11

Weakness is that the social approach may not give the best explanation of stereotyping and prejudice. For example, there is evidence that some people are prejudiced because of their personality and not just because of social factors. This means that prejudice cannot always be explained by social factors alone and may not be reduced without also considering personality factors.