Explain the Formation of Stereotypes and Their Effect on Behavior (Guideline) Essay Example
Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effect on behavior (guideline)
Introduction
• What is a Stereotype? A stereotype is a widely held mental picture that represents an oversimplified, prejudiced, or uncritical judgment, which can be either a positive or negative generalization.
• The explanation of stereotypes lies in the behaviors of socio-cultural groups and/or individuals, where they determine a certain ‘image’ of particular group.
• Many studies have been carried out to explain the formations of stereotypes, which include: Social-Cognitive Theory, Group Theory, and Social Representation Theory (Moscovici, 1973). However, I will be using Social-Cognitive Theory and studies done by Steele & Aronson (1995) and Hamilton & Gifford (1976) to support my explanation of the formation of stereotypes and their effects on behaviors.
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• Social-Cognitive Theory suggests that, stereotype formation are based on the following reasoning: o Our social world is very complex and presents us with an overabundance of information o Since our capacity to process information is limited there is a need to simplify our social world o One of the ways in which we avoid information overload is social categorization o The categories used in social categorization are stereotypes.
• One source of stereotype is illusory correlations, which was claimed by Hamilton and Gifford (1976). Illusory correlation is when individuals assume a relationship between two variables, they tend to overestimate the degree of correlation – or see a correlation where none exists.
• For example, “women” and “the ability to drive well”. It is believed that when we see these two variables we will conclude that “women cannot drive well”. Once the illusory correlation is made, the individuals tend to seek, notice and remember the information that supports the belief, which brings us to our second source of stereotypes, confirmation bias.
• Confirmation Bias is the tendency to
Introduction
• What is a Stereotype? A stereotype is a widely held mental picture that represents an oversimplified, prejudiced, or uncritical judgment, which can be either a positive or negative generalization.
• The explanation of stereotypes lies in the behaviors of socio-cultural groups and/or individuals, where they determine a certain ‘image’ of particular group.
• Many studies have been carried out to explain the formations of stereotypes, which include: Social-Cognitive Theory, Group Theory, and Social Representation Theory (Moscovici, 1973). However, I will be using Social-Cognitive Theory and studies done by Steele & Aronson (1995) and Hamilton & Gifford (1976) to support my explanation of the formation of stereotypes and their effects on behaviors.
1 Paragraph
• Social-Cognitive Theory suggests that, stereotype formation are based on the following reasoning: o Our social world is very complex and presents us with an overabundance of information o Since our capacity to process information is limited there is a need to simplify our social world o One of the ways in which we avoid information overload is social categorization o The categories used in social categorization are stereotypes.
• One source of stereotype is illusory correlations, which was claimed by Hamilton and Gifford (1976). Illusory correlation is when individuals assume a relationship between two variables, they tend to overestimate the degree of correlation – or see a correlation where none exists.
• For example, “women” and “the ability to drive well”. It is believed that when we see these two variables we will conclude that “women cannot drive well”. Once the illusory correlation is made, the individuals tend to seek, notice and remember the information that supports the belief, which brings us to our second source of stereotypes, confirmation bias.
• Confirmation Bias is the tendency to