stereotypes: formation and effect

• stereotype

  a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular person or thing. Stereotypes are perceived through trait based attributes in a group.
• why do we need stereotypes

  they provide structure to our social environment and prepare us for encounters with unknown members of a group and trigger fast responses and intuition
• why are stereotypes harmful

  negative stereotypes can lead to negative attitudes and behaviours towards members of a social group and serves as a negative evaluation of that group.
• why are stereotypes hard to change

  stereotypes not only have a cognitive and preparative function but also help to fulfill basic psychological needs. As social beings humans want a positive outlook of themselves and the social group they belong to. Some stereotypes are culturally shared and persist over generations.
• how can we still overcome stereotypes

  people can control their stereotypes and inhibit potentially negative outcomes if they are motivated to do so. Contact with members of another social group can induce stereotype change by providing a more accurate and positive image.
• studies of formation of stereotypes

  • Schaller
  • Hamilton and Gifford
• evidence of formation of stereotypes in Schaller

  results showed that a categorisation-based in-group favourtism guided in how information was processed. Schaller concluded that social categorisation instigates specific cognitive mechanisms that contribute to group stereotype formation.
• evidence of formation of stereotypes in Hamilton and Gifford

  No assigning to a group leads to a formation of stereotypes due to illusory correlation
• American stereotype of black people

  gangs, sporty, absent fathers, carrying weapons, guns, drugs, food, rap music, violent, unedcucated
• shooter bias

  the tendency for a persons race to influence the speed and decision to shoot an armed subject
• reconstructive memory

  the memory of an event is not a perfect replication as it would be inefficient. instead, memories are deconstructed for ease of storage. When recalled memories are reconstructed but some information is lost. These gaps are filled in using schemes
• schemes

  preconceived ideas of what something should be like
• studies as evidence for effect of stereotypes

  • Correl
  • Allport and Postman
• stereotypes are a type of scheme as they are used to fill in gaps in our memory.