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Stereotypes
generalized beliefs about the characteristics associated with the members fo a specific social group
- allows assumptions to be made about a person/group based on limited information
- they affect the behaviors of those who hold the stereotype and those who are labelled by it
- may be positive or negative, however most stereotypes today are leading to discrimination and prejudice
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Illusory Correlation
Proposed by Hamilton and Gifford (1971); stereotypes may be formed as a result to an illusory correlation; when people see a relationship between two variables, even when there is none.
A false association is formed, leading one to overestimate the frequency in which the correlation occurs, and in turn a stereotype is perpetrated.
Is an example of confirmation bias: when people overlook information that contradicts what they believe.
suggests a source for formation of stereotypes.
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Study Used
Snyder and Swann (1978): Illusory Correlation