Hamilton and Gifford

• What is illusory correlation?

  It is the tendency to overestimate relationships between two groups when distinctive and unusual information is presented.
• What cognitive process is illusory correlation based on?

  It is based on System 1 thinking, specifically the availability heuristic.
• How does the availability heuristic influence decision-making?

  Decisions are made based on what first comes to mind.
• What was the main focus of the study by Hamilton and Gifford (1976)?

  The study may be used to answer questions on the formation of stereotypes or cognitive biases.
• How many participants were involved in Hamilton & Gifford's experiment?

  There were 40 American undergraduates.
• What was the gender distribution of participants in the Hamilton & Gifford study?

  There were 20 males and 20 females.
• How were the groups labeled in the Hamilton & Gifford study?

  The groups were simply called groups A and B.
• What was the size of Group A and Group B in the study?

  Group A had 26 members, and Group B had 13 members.
• What was the proportion of positive and negative comments for each group in the study?

  Each group had the same proportion of positive and negative comments.
• What task were participants asked to complete after viewing the slides?

  Participants were asked to rank members of each group on a series of 20 traits.
• What was one of the traits participants ranked members on?

  Traits included popular, social, and intelligent.
• What did participants do after ranking the traits?

  They were given a booklet with statements and asked whether the person was from Group A or Group B.
• What percentage of positive traits did participants recall for Group A?

  Participants recalled 74% of positive traits for Group A.
• What percentage of negative traits did participants recall for Group B?

  Participants recalled 65% of negative traits for Group B.
• What did Hamilton & Gifford argue about the minority group?

  They argued that the minority group's negative behaviors appeared more distinct and representative due to their smaller number.
• How does the study explain the prevalence of negative stereotypes for minority groups?

  Negative stereotypes may be more common for minority groups because their behaviors are more noticeable due to their smaller size.
• What is one practical application of the findings from the Hamilton & Gifford study?

  Doctors tend to "over-remember" poor health practices in obese patients compared to other patients.
• What does the study suggest about stigmatized patients?

  Stigmatized patients suffer more from an illusory correlation bias than non-stigmatized patients.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Hamilton & Gifford study?

  Strengths:

  • Increased internal validity by creating groups A and B without pre-existing stereotypes.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Highly artificial setting leading to low ecological validity.
  • Real-life contexts involve more factors influencing stereotype formation.
• What design was used in the Hamilton & Gifford study?

  • Repeated measures design
  • Independent variables: positive or negative statements, size of each group
  • Concurrent conditions: all participants took part in all aspects of the study
• What was the outcome regarding the significance of the findings in the study?

  The findings showed a difference between the positive and negative traits attributed to each group, but not all findings were significant.
• What contextual factors can influence stereotype formation in real life?

  • Economic competition
  • Legitimate or unwarranted fear of others
  • Institutionalized racism or prejudice
  • Actual experiences with members of the other group