PSYC 2040 Chapter : Ch 9 StudyGuide
Document Summary
A person"s expectation of being victimized by prejudice or discrimination. Perceived prejudice and discrimination enhance our feelings of social identity and prepare us to join in collective social action. Given limited experience with a particular social group, we recall examples of it and generalize. Encountering an example of a negative stereotype can prime the stereotype, leading us to minimize contact with the group. Vivid cases are more available in memory, but seldom represent the larger group. Those in the majority overestimate those in an numerical minority. Stereotypes assume a correlation between group membership and individuals" presumed characteristics. Attentiveness to unusual occurrences can create illusory correlations. Our preexisting stereotypes can lead us to see correlations that aren"t there. The more people assume that human traits are fixed dispositions, the stronger are their stereotypes and the greater their acceptance of racial inequities. We grant members of our own group the benefit of the doubt.
