Prejudice, Stereotypes, and Bias (8B) - Psych & Soc

What is the ultimate attribution error?

Attributing out-group negatives to traits and positives to situations. It extends the fundamental attribution error to groups, protecting in-group esteem by derogating out-groups.
Which option best describes the IAT (Implicit Association Test) in bias research?

A reaction-time measure of automatic associations. Measures speed of pairing concepts to reveal implicit biases.
Which hypothesis predicts that intergroup contact reduces prejudice under equal status and shared goals?

Contact hypothesis. Positive interactions reduce prejudice with proper conditions.
Which theory states that prejudice is reduced by equal status, cooperation, and institutional support?

Allport's contact hypothesis. Intergroup contact reduces prejudice under specific conditions.
What is the just-world hypothesis and its link to prejudice?

Belief the world is fair; victims are seen as deserving outcomes. Reduces anxiety by attributing misfortune to personal failings.
What is the just-world hypothesis, and how does it relate to prejudice?

Belief people get what they deserve; can justify inequality. Rationalizes suffering as deserved outcomes.
Identify the concept: Prejudice increases when groups compete for scarce resources.

Realistic conflict theory. Competition for limited resources creates intergroup hostility.
Identify the bias: "I remember the one rude out-group member more than many polite ones."

Availability heuristic. Vivid negative examples overshadow positive experiences.
What is scapegoat theory as an explanation for prejudice?

Displacing frustration onto a vulnerable out-group. Frustration gets redirected toward less powerful targets.
What is realistic conflict theory?

Prejudice arises from competition over scarce resources. Groups compete for limited resources, creating intergroup hostility.
Which concept explains prejudice as competition over scarce resources between groups?

Realistic conflict theory. Groups compete for limited resources, creating hostility.
Identify the concept: A person avoids a group member to reduce anxiety, reinforcing bias.

Avoidance-based maintenance of prejudice (negative reinforcement). Anxiety reduction reinforces avoidant behavior.
Identify the concept: 'Refusing to hire someone because of group membership.'

Discrimination. Action-based prejudice affecting opportunities.
What is the halo effect?

A global positive impression biases judgments of specific traits. The halo effect generalizes overall positivity, leading to inflated ratings on unrelated attributes.
What is the fundamental attribution error, and how does it relate to bias?

Overattributing others' behavior to traits rather than situations. Ignoring situational factors reinforces negative stereotypes.
What is in-group bias?

Favoring one's in-group over out-groups. Preference for one's own group enhances self-esteem.
What is the horns effect?

A global negative impression biases judgments of specific traits. The horns effect generalizes overall negativity, causing undervaluation of specific qualities.
Which option best states the contact hypothesis conditions that reduce prejudice?

Equal status, cooperation, common goals, and institutional support. Allport's four conditions for effective intergroup contact.
What is the definition of a stereotype in social psychology?

A generalized belief about a group applied to its members. Cognitive shortcuts that oversimplify group characteristics.
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy as it relates to stereotypes?

Expectations elicit behaviors that make the expectation come true. Biased expectations create their own reality through behavior.
What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) aim to measure?

Strength of implicit associations between concepts and evaluations. IAT measures reaction time differences to reveal unconscious biases.
Which measure is commonly used to assess implicit attitudes by reaction time?

Implicit Association Test (IAT). Measures speed of associating concepts with groups.
Which concept describes prejudice that persists because it is embedded in institutions and policies?

Institutional (systemic) discrimination. Bias built into social structures beyond individual attitudes.
Which term describes the belief that one's own group is superior to others?

Ethnocentrism. Viewing one's culture as the standard for judging others.
What is stereotype lift?

Performance improvement when a negative stereotype targets others. Comparison to stereotyped groups boosts performance.
What is scapegoating in the context of prejudice?

Blaming a less powerful group for one's problems or frustrations. Redirects anger from true source to vulnerable targets.
What is scapegoating as an explanation for prejudice?

Blaming a less powerful group for one's frustrations. Redirects anger from true sources to vulnerable targets.
What is the definition of prejudice in social psychology?

A negative attitude or affect toward a group and its members. Emotional component that precedes discriminatory behavior.
What is the fundamental attribution error in intergroup contexts?

Overattributing others' behavior to dispositions rather than situations. This error biases intergroup perceptions by ignoring situational factors, reinforcing stereotypes about out-groups.
What is prejudice in social psychology?

A negative attitude or feeling toward a group and its members. Prejudice involves preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experience, fostering hostility toward out-groups.
What is confirmation bias in the context of stereotypes?

Seeking or interpreting evidence to support existing stereotypes. Selective attention reinforces preexisting beliefs.
What is the definition of a stereotype in social psychology?

A generalized belief about a group and its members. Stereotypes are cognitive shortcuts about group characteristics.
What is the definition of prejudice (attitude component) toward a group?

A negative (or positive) evaluation of a group and its members. Affective component that can be positive or negative.
What is the fundamental attribution error, and how can it support prejudice?

Overattributing others' behavior to traits; can reinforce stereotypes. Ignoring situational factors strengthens trait-based stereotypes.
What is the definition of microaggressions?

Subtle, often unintentional slights that convey derogatory messages. Small acts accumulate to create hostile environments.
What does social identity theory predict about self-esteem and group membership?

People boost self-esteem by favoring in-groups over out-groups. Group favoritism enhances personal self-worth.
What is a stereotype in social psychology?

A generalized belief about traits of members of a group. Stereotypes simplify social perception by categorizing individuals based on group traits, often leading to overgeneralizations.
Which term refers to unequal treatment due to group membership: prejudice, stereotype, or discrimination?

Discrimination. Only discrimination involves actual behavioral differences.
What is the definition of stereotype threat?

Performance impairment due to fear of confirming a negative stereotype. Anxiety about stereotypes can create self-fulfilling prophecies.
Which concept explains why people categorize others quickly using mental shortcuts?

Heuristics (cognitive shortcuts). Mental efficiency leads to rapid social categorization.
What is the fundamental attribution error?

Overattributing others' behavior to disposition over situation. Underestimating situational factors in others' actions.
What is scapegoating as an explanation for prejudice?

Blaming a marginalized group for broader problems. Displaces frustration onto vulnerable targets.
Identify the concept: Explaining one out-group member's success as "luck" rather than ability.

Ultimate attribution error. This attribution protects in-group bias by dismissing out-group achievements as external rather than internal.
What is an in-group in the context of group bias?

The group with which an individual identifies. In-groups provide a sense of belonging and identity, often leading to biased favoritism.
What is aversive racism?

Endorsing egalitarian values while holding implicit negative attitudes. Conflict between conscious values and unconscious biases.
What does social identity theory propose about prejudice and self-esteem?

People favor in-groups to enhance self-concept and self-esteem. Social identity theory links group favoritism to personal self-worth, as in-group success enhances individual esteem.
Identify the concept: 'Believing all members of an out-group are basically the same.'

Out-group homogeneity effect. Perceiving less variability in groups we don't belong to.
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of bias?

Expectations elicit behavior that confirms the expectations. Creates reality through biased perceptions and interactions.
Which term describes a belief about a group, an attitude toward it, and behavior toward it, respectively?

Stereotype, prejudice, discrimination. Represents cognitive, affective, and behavioral components.
What is an out-group in the context of group bias?

A group to which an individual does not belong. Out-groups are perceived as different, contributing to intergroup bias and conflict.
What is the definition of prejudice in social psychology?

A negative attitude or feeling toward a group or its members. Prejudice involves emotional/evaluative responses, not just beliefs.
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in intergroup interactions?

Expectations elicit behaviors that make the expectations come true. Perceiver's expectations shape target's actual behavior.
What is the definition of explicit bias?

Conscious, self-reported attitudes toward a group. Deliberate attitudes accessible through introspection.
Identify the phenomenon: "I treated him as untrustworthy, and he became hostile to me."

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Negative expectations created hostile response confirming bias.
Which measure is commonly used to assess implicit attitudes toward social groups?

Implicit Association Test (IAT). Measures reaction time differences in category associations.
What is the frustration–aggression hypothesis in the context of prejudice?

Frustration increases aggression, often displaced onto out-groups. Links blocked goals to misdirected hostility.
Identify the concept: "They are all alike," said about an unfamiliar group.

Out-group homogeneity effect. This perception arises from cognitive shortcuts that homogenize unfamiliar groups to simplify processing.
What is modern (symbolic) racism?

Opposition framed as nonracial values while maintaining prejudice. Disguises prejudice as principled conservatism.
Which term describes a stereotype about one's own group that is internalized by its members?

Internalized stereotype. Self-stereotyping occurs when group members accept stereotypes about themselves.
Which term describes favoritism toward one's own group over an out-group?

In-group bias. Tendency to favor members of one's own social group.
Identify the term for a subtle, unintentional, everyday slight toward a marginalized group.

Microaggression. These brief indignities communicate hostile or derogatory messages.
What does realistic conflict theory propose about intergroup prejudice?

Competition over scarce resources increases intergroup hostility. This theory explains prejudice as arising from real competitions, where groups vie for limited resources like jobs or territory.
What is social identity theory's core claim about prejudice?

In-group bias supports self-esteem via group membership. We favor in-groups to maintain positive social identity.
Identify the concept: People classify themselves and others into groups to boost self-esteem.

Social identity theory. In-group bias enhances positive social identity.
What is out-group homogeneity bias?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than they are. We see less variability in out-groups than in our own group.
What is an implicit bias?

An unconscious association that can affect judgments and actions. Automatic responses outside conscious awareness.
Which theory states that prejudice can decrease when groups have equal status and shared goals?

Contact hypothesis (Allport). Positive intergroup contact reduces prejudice under ideal conditions.
What is the definition of microaggressions?

Subtle, often unintentional slights toward marginalized groups. Cumulative impact creates hostile environments.
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than they are. Reduces cognitive load by minimizing perceived differences.
What is in-group bias?

Favoring one's own group over out-groups. Preferential treatment for members of one's group.
What is the definition of discrimination (behavior component) toward a group?

Unequal treatment of people based on group membership. Behavioral manifestation of prejudiced attitudes.
What is the definition of ethnocentrism?

Viewing one's own culture as superior or as the standard. Judges other cultures by one's own cultural standards.
What is discrimination in social psychology?

Behavior that disadvantages people based on group membership. Discrimination enacts prejudice through actions that deny equal treatment, perpetuating social inequalities.
What is self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of stereotypes?

Expectations elicit behaviors that make the expectation come true. Biased expectations create confirming behaviors.
What is an explicit bias?

A conscious, self-reported attitude toward a group. Deliberate attitudes accessible through introspection.
Which term best describes an automatic, unconscious attitude toward a group?

Implicit bias. Implicit biases operate below conscious awareness, influencing judgments and behaviors automatically.
What is the definition of discrimination in social psychology?

Behavior that disadvantages people based on group membership. Behavioral manifestation of prejudice in actions.
Which concept describes improved performance when a stereotype is positive and salient?

Stereotype lift. Positive stereotypes can boost performance when made salient.
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than they are. "They all look alike" phenomenon reduces individual recognition.
What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of bias?

Expectations elicit behaviors that make the expectations come true. This process perpetuates bias as stereotyped individuals may unconsciously conform to expected behaviors.
Identify the concept: "He is rude because he is in that group," ignoring situational factors.

Ultimate attribution error. Attributing negative behavior to group membership.
Which theory states that group membership contributes to self-esteem and drives in-group favoritism?

Social identity theory. People derive self-worth from group achievements.
What is the ultimate attribution error?

Explaining out-group negatives as dispositional and positives as situational. Extends FAE with intergroup bias in causal attributions.
What is scapegoating as an explanation for prejudice?

Blaming a weaker group for one's frustrations or problems. Scapegoating displaces aggression onto vulnerable targets, serving as a psychological outlet for societal frustrations.
What is self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of stereotypes?

Expectations elicit behavior that makes the expectation come true. Others' expectations shape our behavior to match them.
Which term describes a positive stereotype that still harms by objectifying a group?

Benevolent prejudice. Seemingly positive but limits and objectifies groups.
What is confirmation bias as it relates to stereotypes?

Seeking or interpreting evidence to support an existing stereotype. Confirmation bias maintains stereotypes by selectively processing information that aligns with preconceptions.
What is confirmation bias in evaluating stereotypes?

Seeking or remembering evidence that supports preexisting beliefs. Selectively noticing stereotype-consistent information.
What is the definition of in-group bias?

Preference for one's own group over out-groups. Evolutionary tendency to favor those similar to ourselves.
Which concept explains why people may avoid information that challenges their stereotypes?

Confirmation bias. Selective attention to stereotype-confirming information.
What is the definition of implicit bias?

Unconscious attitudes or associations that influence judgments. Automatic associations operate below conscious awareness.
Which concept describes holding positive stereotypes that still reinforce inequality?

Benevolent prejudice (benevolent sexism). Seemingly positive but limits opportunities and agency.
What does the contact hypothesis propose reduces prejudice most reliably?

Cooperative contact with equal status and shared goals. Meaningful interaction under optimal conditions reduces bias.
What is the definition of discrimination in social psychology?

Behavior that disadvantages people based on group membership. Discrimination is prejudice enacted through differential treatment.
Identify the bias: "She is a woman, so she is probably nurturing."

Stereotyping (gender stereotype). Assumes traits based solely on group membership.
Which term describes a belief about a group, an attitude toward it, and a behavior toward it?

Stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination (respectively). Cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of bias.
Which term best describes a deliberate, conscious attitude toward a group?

Explicit bias. Explicit biases are intentional and aware, allowing individuals to articulate and sometimes control them.
Which intervention best matches Allport's contact hypothesis for reducing prejudice?

Cooperative contact with equal status and institutional support. Allport's hypothesis posits that structured positive interactions reduce prejudice by fostering empathy and common goals.
What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) primarily measure?

Strength of implicit associations between concepts and evaluations. The IAT assesses unconscious preferences by measuring response times in associating concepts with positive or negative attributes.
What is the fundamental attribution error as it relates to stereotypes?

Overattributing others' behavior to traits rather than situations. Ignores situational factors when judging out-groups.
Which intervention aims to reduce prejudice by promoting equal-status cooperation toward shared goals?

Contact hypothesis (Allport conditions). Intergroup contact reduces prejudice under specific conditions.
What is the out-group homogeneity effect?

Perceiving out-group members as more similar than they are. Reduces cognitive load by minimizing perceived differences.
Which term describes subtle, often unintentional discriminatory behaviors in daily life?

Microaggressions. Brief, everyday slights that communicate hostile messages.

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