Hamilton & Gifford et al 1976

Question 1

illusory correlation

Answer 1

a tendency that individuals have to perceive a correlation and relationship between two variables even though there isn’t one

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

investigating the illusory correlation based on group size as the key factor in the formation of stereotypes

Question 3

participants

Answer 3

40 undergraduate students from NYC
20men 20women

self selected sample(?)

Question 4

procedure

Answer 4

1. the participants were presented with 2 hypothetical groups, they were fake however they were composed of real people with given characteristics

A -26 B -13

2. Afterwards the participants were presented with a series of statements, which described a particular behaviour performed by either members of A or B group. The behaviours were either desirable and positive or undesirable and negative

Both groups had a higher number of positive behaviours than negative, with the ratio being 4-9

Group A had a larger number of statements attributed to it (More behaviours in general)

3. The participants were then asked to provide rankings for a series of measures

• they were given a list of 20 attributes and asked to assign them to either group a or group B
• they were asked to assess a list of behaviours based on whether they think they were conducted a member of the A group or B group
• estimate the number of negative statements that can be attributed to either a or b

Question 5

results

Answer 5

in general, the mean scores illustrated that the participants tended to assign more negative attributes and behaviours to group b,

they also assigned more positive and desirable behaviours to group a

Question 6

conclusion

Answer 6

the study illustrate that illusory correlation might be based on the size of the group

smaller groups appear to be more distinctive, hence people tend to link the undesirable characteristics with them

and illustrates that people tend to associate negative and undesirable characteristics with minority groups

this has implications of how minority groups are viewed within society

Question 7

strengths

Answer 7

• quantitive ——-> reliable
• useful applications; can be used to educate people and reduce the amount of prejudice and discrimination within society

Question 8

weaknesses

Answer 8

• small sample which reduces the statistical power, thus the results lack robustness
• looooow ecological validity beacuse it does not reflect a real life situation and is rather hypothetical