Stereotype Formation

1. Stereotype Formation Key Theories

2. General Learning Target • Explain the formation of stereotypes • Summarise the theories • Explain their effect on behaviour • Stereotype threat effect

3. Social Cognitive Theory • Stereotypes are a type of schema (remember Bartlett’s study on schemas) • Our world is complex and this is our way of simplifying it • Cohen’s study on waitress/librarian

4. Social Identity Theory • Stereotypes enable positive distinctiveness and the category accentuation effect • Stereotypes help to create different groups of people

5. System Justification Theory • Stereotypes help to explain societal systems • E.g. Rich and poor, power vs no power, race

6. Social Representations Theory • Stereotypes are formed not by individuals, but by a society as a whole

7. Stereotype Threat Effect • This is how stereotypes can effect behaviour. • When a person’s performance is hindered by a negative stereotype that is associated with the task they are performing. • E.g. Women and math, African Americans and verbal task

8. Studies: Cohen • Supports social cognitive theory (schema) and how it relates to memory • Participants watched a video of a woman on a date. Depending on what occupation she had reflected what details they remembered (waitress = drinking, librarian = glasses, book) • Stereotypes affect our memory (i.e. behaviour)

9. Haslam and Turner • Supports flexible nature of stereotypes as outlined by social identity theory • Americans are stereotyped as aggressive when compared to Russians, but less aggressive when compared to Iraqis

10. Spencer et al / Steele and Aronson • The theories support the stereotype threat effect which influences behaviour • Spencer – women and math problems • Steele and Aronson – African Americans and verbal tasks