Stereotypes/Labelling Flashcards
What are in-/outg-groups?
Social groups to which a person does (not) psychologically identify as being a member
How do in-groups give us a sense of social identity?
- Important source of pride + self-esteem
- Allow us to find out things about ourself
- Help us to define socially acceptable behaviour
Hogg and Vaughan (1995) definition of a stereotype
Widely shared assumption about the personality, attitude or behaviour of a person based solely on their group membership
How are stereotypes formed?
- Personal experience
- Culturally received information
- Encoded language
Why do we stereotype?
- Social function
> Allow us to learn from experience of others - Cognitive function
> Simplify + systemise information
> Reduce processing time
> Enable us to respond quicker to situations
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?
People tend to perceive members of an out-group as similar to each other
What is the in-group differentiation effect?
People perceive many differences between members of their own group
Consequences of stereotyping
- Affects our expectations of others/ourselves
- Affect social perceptions + behaviour
Modified labelling theory
- Person is labelled –> social meanings of label become relevant to person
- Response (secrecy, withdrawal, educate)
- Negative consequences for self-esteem, earning, relationships, etc.
- Vulnerable to further episodes of mental distress
What is stereotype threat (Steel, 1995)?
Occurs when a person experiences anxiety/concern that they may confirm a negative stereotype linked to their in-group
How can stereotypes be changed?
- Counter-stereotypes
- Contact hypothesis (equal status, common goals, intergroup cooperation, support of law/customs)
- Education
- Media/social media
