Stereotyping

Stereotyping

By Obed and Lacei

A Stereotype is​

• a social perception of an individual in relation to a group or physical attributes

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• ​generalization that is made about a group and then attributed to members of that group

• ​form of social categorization that affects the behaviour of those who hold the stereotype and/or are labeled by a stereotype

Multiple Choice

Which does NOT define stereotyping

• that a person has not just one “personal self”, but rather several social selves that correspond to group membership

• a social perception of an individual in relation to a group or physical attributes

• generalization that is made about a group and then attributed to members of that group

• form of social categorization that affects the behaviour of those who hold the stereotype and/or are labeled by a stereotype

​How Are Stereotypes Developed

​Schneider argues that there are two ways that stereotypes develop: indirectly, as a product of our culture or society or directly, as a result of our own experience with other people

​Hamilton and Gifford argue, instead, that stereotypes are the result of an illusory correlation - that is, people see a relationship between two variables even when there is none

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​Effects of stereotyping

​Two ways in which stereotyping may affect behavior are stereotype threat and memory distortion.

​Stereotype threat- occurs when one is in a situation where there is a threat of being judged or treated stereotypically or a fear of doing something that would accidentally confirm that stereotype.

• ​Stereotype threat turns on spotlight anxiety.

• ​ can cause emotional distress and pressure that may affect one’s performance.

​Memory distortion- Memory distortions occur when retrieval of memories are incorrect and information is remembered in a different way than what actually occurred. Memories can be distorted by stereotyping.

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​Stereotyping in Sports

​-Stone (2002)-

This study wanted to determine if the way a sport is framed would impede the performance of members of different racial groups.​

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• ​Participants were told that they were going to be tested on a golf-related task. The task was described as either reflecting factors that correlate with natural athletic ability or factors that correlate with general sports performance. The participants were allowed to practice as long as they liked before carrying out the "golf task."

• They found that white athletes practiced less in the task that correlated with natural athletic ability. The African American group did not show any change in both conditions.

• The results show that one consequence of stereotype threat can be reduced effort.

Rogers and Frantz (1962)

• Found that white immigrants to Rhodesia (today’s Zimbabwe) developed more stereotypes and prejudice against the local people the longer they stayed there

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• ​​​They argue that this is because they adopted the social norms that were dominant in the group they were joining in order to fit in.