AP Psych Prejudice and Stereotypes
37 flashcards covering AP Psych Prejudice and Stereotypes for the AP-PSYCHOLOGY Unit 9: Social section.
Prejudice and stereotypes are critical concepts within the AP Psychology curriculum, specifically outlined in Unit 9: Social. Prejudice refers to an unjustified or incorrect attitude toward an individual based solely on their membership in a social group, while stereotypes are oversimplified beliefs about a group that can lead to prejudice. Understanding these concepts is essential for recognizing how they impact social interactions and behaviors, as defined by the American Psychological Association.
On practice exams, questions about prejudice and stereotypes often require students to analyze scenarios or case studies, identifying underlying biases or social influences. Common traps include confusing prejudice with discrimination or failing to recognize the subtle ways stereotypes can manifest in behavior. It's important to carefully read the questions and consider the context provided. A practical tip often overlooked in real-world applications is the importance of self-awareness; regularly reflecting on one’s own biases can help mitigate the effects of prejudice in professional settings.
Terms (37)
- 01
What is the definition of prejudice in psychology?
Prejudice refers to an unjustified or incorrect attitude (usually negative) toward an individual based solely on the individual's membership in a social group. This can include beliefs, emotions, and predispositions to act against individuals based on their group identity (College Board AP CED).
- 02
What distinguishes stereotypes from prejudice?
Stereotypes are generalized beliefs about a particular group of people, which can be positive or negative, while prejudice specifically refers to negative attitudes or feelings toward those groups (College Board AP CED).
- 03
How does social identity theory explain prejudice?
Social identity theory posits that individuals derive a sense of self from their group memberships, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination, which can foster prejudice (College Board AP CED).
- 04
What role does cognitive dissonance play in prejudice?
Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals hold conflicting beliefs or attitudes, which can lead to a change in beliefs to reduce discomfort, potentially reinforcing prejudiced views if they justify discriminatory behavior (College Board AP CED).
- 05
What is the contact hypothesis in relation to reducing prejudice?
The contact hypothesis suggests that under certain conditions, direct contact between members of different groups can reduce prejudice, particularly when the groups have equal status and common goals (College Board AP CED).
- 06
Which psychological concept explains the tendency to favor one's own group over others?
In-group bias refers to the tendency for individuals to favor members of their own group over those in out-groups, often leading to prejudice against out-group members (College Board AP CED).
- 07
How does the concept of social categorization relate to stereotypes?
Social categorization is the process of classifying people into groups based on shared characteristics, which can lead to the formation of stereotypes as individuals simplify complex social information (College Board AP CED).
- 08
What is the impact of implicit bias on behavior?
Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously, often leading to discriminatory behavior despite a conscious belief in equality (College Board AP CED).
- 09
What is the difference between explicit and implicit prejudice?
Explicit prejudice involves conscious beliefs and attitudes about a group, while implicit prejudice consists of unconscious biases that can influence behavior without the individual's awareness (College Board AP CED).
- 10
How can stereotype threat affect performance?
Stereotype threat occurs when individuals are at risk of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group, which can lead to anxiety and decreased performance in situations where the stereotype is relevant (College Board AP CED).
- 11
What is the role of scapegoating in prejudice?
Scapegoating involves blaming an out-group for problems or negative outcomes faced by an in-group, often leading to increased prejudice and hostility toward the scapegoated group (College Board AP CED).
- 12
Which psychological theory explains the development of stereotypes?
The social learning theory posits that stereotypes are learned through observation and imitation of others, particularly from parents, peers, and media (College Board AP CED).
- 13
How does confirmation bias contribute to the maintenance of stereotypes?
Confirmation bias leads individuals to seek out and interpret information that confirms their existing beliefs, including stereotypes, while ignoring contradictory evidence (College Board AP CED).
- 14
What is the effect of media representation on stereotypes?
Media representation can reinforce or challenge stereotypes by shaping public perceptions of various social groups, often influencing attitudes and behaviors toward those groups (College Board AP CED).
- 15
What is the relationship between discrimination and prejudice?
Discrimination refers to the behavior or actions that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on their group membership, while prejudice refers to the attitudes that may lead to such discrimination (College Board AP CED).
- 16
How does the concept of the just-world hypothesis relate to prejudice?
The just-world hypothesis is the belief that people get what they deserve, which can lead to victim-blaming and increased prejudice against marginalized groups (College Board AP CED).
- 17
What is the significance of groupthink in the context of prejudice?
Groupthink can lead to a lack of critical thinking and consensus-seeking behavior within a group, reinforcing prejudiced attitudes and decisions that may not be critically examined (College Board AP CED).
- 18
How can education serve as a tool to combat prejudice?
Education can promote awareness and understanding of diversity, challenge stereotypes, and foster empathy, which can reduce prejudice and discrimination (College Board AP CED).
- 19
What is the concept of benevolent sexism, and how does it relate to stereotypes?
Benevolent sexism refers to attitudes that are subjectively positive but still reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes, often undermining women's equality (College Board AP CED).
- 20
How does the principle of reciprocity relate to reducing prejudice?
The principle of reciprocity suggests that positive interactions between groups can foster mutual respect and understanding, thereby reducing prejudice over time (College Board AP CED).
- 21
What is the impact of social norms on prejudice?
Social norms can dictate acceptable behaviors and attitudes within a group, influencing the prevalence of prejudiced beliefs and actions based on societal expectations (College Board AP CED).
- 22
How does the concept of empathy play a role in addressing prejudice?
Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can reduce prejudice by fostering connections and challenging dehumanizing stereotypes (College Board AP CED).
- 23
What is the significance of the 'other-race effect' in understanding prejudice?
The 'other-race effect' refers to the tendency for individuals to more easily recognize faces of their own race compared to those of other races, which can contribute to the formation of racial stereotypes (College Board AP CED).
- 24
How does the concept of social dominance orientation relate to prejudice?
Social dominance orientation is a personality trait that predicts an individual's preference for hierarchy in social groups, often correlating with higher levels of prejudice against lower-status groups (College Board AP CED).
- 25
What is the role of attribution theory in understanding prejudice?
Attribution theory examines how individuals interpret events and behaviors, which can influence prejudiced attitudes by attributing negative outcomes to the characteristics of a group rather than situational factors (College Board AP CED).
- 26
How can intergroup conflict lead to increased prejudice?
Intergroup conflict arises when groups compete for resources or status, often leading to heightened prejudice as groups dehumanize and vilify each other (College Board AP CED).
- 27
What is the impact of stereotype consistency on group perceptions?
Stereotype consistency refers to the tendency for individuals to maintain and reinforce stereotypes that align with their existing beliefs, which can perpetuate prejudiced attitudes (College Board AP CED).
- 28
How does the concept of cultural stereotypes affect individual identity?
Cultural stereotypes can shape individual identity by influencing how people perceive themselves and how they believe they should behave based on societal expectations (College Board AP CED).
- 29
What is the significance of the 'contact hypothesis' in reducing racial prejudice?
The contact hypothesis posits that under appropriate conditions, such as equal status and cooperation, direct contact between groups can reduce racial prejudice and improve intergroup relations (College Board AP CED).
- 30
How does the concept of tokenism relate to stereotypes?
Tokenism refers to the practice of making only a perfunctory effort to be inclusive to members of minority groups, often reinforcing stereotypes by suggesting that diversity is superficial (College Board AP CED).
- 31
What is the effect of stereotype threat on academic performance?
Stereotype threat can negatively impact academic performance by inducing anxiety and distraction in individuals who fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group (College Board AP CED).
- 32
How does the concept of implicit association tests (IAT) measure prejudice?
Implicit association tests (IAT) measure the strength of automatic associations between concepts, revealing unconscious biases that may not align with explicit beliefs about groups (College Board AP CED).
- 33
What is the role of historical context in shaping modern prejudice?
Historical context influences contemporary attitudes and beliefs, as past injustices and societal norms can perpetuate prejudice across generations (College Board AP CED).
- 34
How does the concept of essentialism contribute to stereotypes?
Essentialism is the belief that certain groups possess inherent traits or characteristics, which can lead to oversimplified and inaccurate stereotypes about those groups (College Board AP CED).
- 35
What is the significance of allyship in combating prejudice?
Allyship involves individuals from privileged groups actively supporting marginalized groups, which can help challenge and reduce systemic prejudice (College Board AP CED).
- 36
How can community engagement help reduce prejudice?
Community engagement fosters interactions among diverse groups, promoting understanding and reducing prejudice through shared experiences and collaboration (College Board AP CED).
- 37
What is the impact of social media on the spread of stereotypes?
Social media can amplify stereotypes by facilitating the rapid spread of information, both positive and negative, influencing public perceptions and attitudes toward various groups (College Board AP CED).