Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Completion requirements
Knowing how to change discriminatory attitudes and behaviors is knowing how they develop in the first place. This text explores how people become prejudiced and how it becomes embedded in society. It looks at prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination in terms of social psychology rather than how they directly impact business. You will learn how to reduce discrimination, and while you may not be able to change society, there are practical tips on dealing with specific instances.
Social Categorization and Stereotyping
Key Takeaways
- Beliefs about the characteristics of the groups and the members of those groups are known as stereotypes.
- Prejudice refers to an unjustifiable negative attitude toward an outgroup.
- Stereotypes and prejudice may create discrimination.
- Stereotyping and prejudice begin from social categorization - the natural cognitive process by which we place individuals into social groups.
- Social categorization influences our perceptions of groups - for instance, the perception of outgroup homogeneity.
- Once our stereotypes and prejudices become established, they are difficult to change and may lead to self-fulfilling prophecies, such that our expectations about the group members make the stereotypes come true.
- Stereotypes may influence our performance on important tasks through stereotype threat.