ATTITUDES: Factors That May Reduce Prejudice Flashcards
Define: intergroup contact
A strategy for reducing prejudice by increasing specific types of direct contact between two groups who are prejudiced against each other
Define: contact hypothesis
Proposes that close, prolonged contact of a fairly direct nature between members of different groups can reduce prejudice, but only under certain conditions
Under what conditions does intergroup contact reduce prejudice? (3)
Sustained (close and ingoing) contact
Mutual interdependence
Equality of status
Define: sustained contact
Ongoing contact between two or more people/groups either directly or indirectly over a period of time
Define: mutual interdependence
Placing two groups which are prejudiced against each other in a situation which they must rely upon each other
How does mutual interdependence reduce prejudicial attitudes?
By working together, it is more likely that rivalry and negative stereotypes will be broken down
Define: superordinate goal
A goal that cannot be achieved by any one group alone and overrides other existing goals with a group might have
Do superordinate goals improve intergroup relations immediately?
Not necessarily
Define: equality of status
Between groups
The importance of the group when compared with another group, as perceived by the members of the group making the comparison
How are status and power related in groups?
Those with a higher status usually have more power and vice versa
In order to reduce prejudicial attitudes, status must be equal.
Also, psychologists suggest that the environment in which the contact occurs must be _________ by authorities, laws and customs
Supported
Define: cognitive interventions
A deliberately strategy for changing the way in which someone thinks about prejudice
What do cognitive interventions assume?
That once a person is taught where prejudice comes from and how to reduce it, they are in a position to do something.
What do most cognitive interventions aim to teach?
To understand others based on individual characteristics rather than stereotypes
To what extent have anti-discrimination laws reduced the number of observable expressions of prejudice in Australia?
They have reduced but not eliminated prejudicial actions, have to be combined with other actions
