Discrimination is defined as an action or behavior towards an individual that results from their membership in a particular group. While typically discussed as a negative and oppressive act, such as exclusion, discrimination can also manifest positively through preferential treatment for individuals who are part of one's own group.

Discrimination in Social Psychology

What is a stereotype in social psychology?

Which of the following best describes a stereotype in social psychology?

Which statement is true about stereotypes in social psychology?

Which of the following is an example of a stereotype in social psychology?

Prejudice often originates from stereotypes. A stereotype, which is a specific and frequently overgeneralized belief about a group, can serve as the cognitive basis for developing prejudice—a negative attitude or feeling toward individuals belonging to that group.

Stereotypes as a Foundation for Prejudice

An example of a stereotype is the overgeneralized belief that all older adults are slow and incompetent. This assumption is applied to the entire group, ignoring the fact that many individuals of advanced age are quick-witted and capable.

Example of a Stereotype: Beliefs about Older Adults

A prominent stereotype involves beliefs about racial differences in athletic ability, such as the notion that Black athletes are more athletic while being less intelligent than their White counterparts. This type of belief can negatively influence how athletes are treated and how they perceive their own capabilities, and it often persists even when contradicted by high-profile examples.

Example of a Stereotype: Racial Beliefs about Athletes

Within a given culture, stereotypes are typically widely known and understood. This means that even if an individual does not personally endorse a particular stereotype, they are generally aware of its existence and content as part of their cultural knowledge.

Cultural Awareness of Stereotypes

When encountering a stranger, individuals automatically process three key social categories: race, gender, and age. This cognitive shortcut occurs before assessing secondary characteristics like clothing or facial expressions. These primary categories provide a quick, though often stereotypical, basis for forming initial impressions and expectations about the person.

Automatic Processing of Social Categories in Person Perception

Research has identified common cultural stereotypes associated with various racial groups in the United States. For example, Asian Americans are often stereotyped as cold, sly, and intelligent; Latinos as cold and unintelligent; European Americans as cold and intelligent; and African Americans as aggressive, athletic, and more likely to be lawbreakers.

Cultural Stereotypes of Major Racial Groups in the U.S.

An expectation that facilitates the fulfillment of the expectation through behavior. 

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Stereotypes can trigger a self-fulfilling prophecy through a distinct causal process. When an individual holds a stereotypic belief about another person, it creates an expectation. This expectation influences the individual's behavior toward the other person, which in turn elicits a response from that person that confirms the original stereotype. This cycle not only reinforces the biased belief but can also lead to acts of prejudice and discrimination.

Stereotypes and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A stereotype is an overgeneralized belief or assumption about individuals based solely on their membership in a group, without regard for their individual characteristics. These beliefs are then applied broadly to all members of that group, ignoring individual differences.

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In social psychology, prejudice refers to the attitudes and feelings held toward an individual based solely on their membership in a particular social group. While these attitudes are often negative and problematic, they can also be positive, such as having favorable feelings for people who belong to a group one identifies with.

Prejudice in Social Psychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

A social group in social psychology is a board term that can include gender, nationality, social class, race, religion, sexual orientation, and many other. An individual can be a member of many social groups and is not confined in one. 

Social Group

Stereotype in Social Psychology

There are many types of prejudice and discrimination in our society. Here are only some examples of such types, rather than an exhaustive list:

- Racism
- Sexism
- Ageism
- Homophobia and Transphobia

Types of Prejudice and Discrimination

What best describes prejudice in social psychology?

Which of the following is an example of prejudice in social psychology?

Which of the following statements best illustrates the concept of prejudice in social psychology?

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies prejudice in social psychology?

Prejudice and discrimination are frequently the underlying causes of major human conflicts. These biases can escalate to extreme levels of hatred and harm between groups, leading to severe consequences such as crime, war, and genocide.

Prejudice and Discrimination as Root Causes of Human Conflict

Social groups are diverse and can be based on a wide range of characteristics. Common examples include groups defined by gender, race, age, ethnicity, nationality, social class, religion, sexual orientation, and profession. Individuals can, and often do, belong to multiple social groups simultaneously.

Examples of Social Groups

Prejudice and discrimination persist within a society primarily through two interconnected mechanisms: social learning and conformity to social norms. Individuals, particularly children, acquire prejudiced attitudes and beliefs by observing and absorbing information from their social environment. Furthermore, if discriminatory views are widely accepted within a society, normative pressures can compel individuals to adopt these beliefs and behaviors to fit in with their social groups.

Social Learning and Conformity as Causes of Prejudice and Discrimination

The social groups an individual belongs to, such as those based on gender, race, or age, are powerful sources for shaping their personal identity and self-esteem. These affiliations provide a strong sense of self and contribute significantly to how individuals value themselves.

Role of Social Groups in Identity and Self-Esteem

Prejudice can serve a psychological function by enhancing an individual's self-esteem. This occurs because identifying with an in-group and holding positive views of it, often at the expense of an out-group, helps individuals maintain a positive self-concept and protect their group identity from perceived threats.

Prejudice as a Self-Esteem Function

An out-group is a social group with which an individual does not identify. In the context of intergroup relations, prejudice and negative evaluations are frequently directed toward members of an out-group.

Out-group

Prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory actions are often founded on a person's social identity. Common bases for such negative treatment include gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and sexual orientation, among other group affiliations.

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