PSY 342 - Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Course Syllabus – Fall 2011
Instructor
Prof. Carlos David Navarrete
Office: 247 Psychology Bldg.
Office Hr: Th 10-11AM
Ph: 517-432-8391
Course Email
psy342@navarretelab.net
Meeting Days/Time/Location
TuTh 3:00 PM - 4:20 PM
206 Old Horticulture Bldg
Overview
This course provides a survey of the psychology of intergroup bias. The course is taught
within a broad, inter-disciplinary framework that emphasizes the functional aspects of the
psychological mechanisms that produce various forms of bias—including stereotyping,
prejudice and discrimination. Evolutionary, cultural and economic forces at the
foundations of the psychology of intergroup bias are emphasized throughout the course.
Grading
Finals grades are based on the sum of three exams. Each exam is composed of 60 multiple
choice items at 2 points each. All three exams equal 320 points. All exams are held in our
regular classroom. 10 extra credit points (1 pt. per HPR credit) are available by
participating in psychological research through HPR. Information on how to do this is
available via Angel. Alternatives to research participation for extra credit are available if
you contact the professor at least two weeks before the end of the semester.
The grading scale typically goes as follows:
% of total pts / Grade
85% / 4.0
80% / 3.5
70% / 3.0
65% / 2.5
50% / 2.0
Readings
There is no formal textbook for this course. Assigned readings are posted for every week of
the course, and are available for download without charge.
Foundational Theories
Week 1
Foundations of intergroup bias: Introduction
Week 2
Foundations of intergroup bias: Kin group selection
Week 3
Foundations of intergroup bias: Generalized reciprocity
Week 4
Biology, Economics, and Psychology: Society as a Super-Group
Week 5
Social Identity: A Social Psychological Theory
4-Oct
Exam 1
The Persistence of Prejudice and Discrimination
Week 6
Parental Investment and Sexual Selection: Gender and Intergroup Bias
Week 7
Social Dominance Theory and Evidence
Week 8
The Behavioral Immune System and the Prejudiced Personality
Week 9
Anthropology and Ethnic "Primordialism"
Week 10
How the Mind Works: From Stereotyping to Prejudice and Discrimination
8-Nov
Exam 2
Into Our Biased Minds
Week 11
The Targets of Prejudice and Discrimination: Aversive Racism
Week 12
The Targets of Prejudice and Discrimination: Stereotype Threat
Week 13
The Targets of Prejudice and Discrimination: Minority Underachievement
Week 14
Political psychology: The Hard-wiring of Liberals vs. Conservatives
Week 15
Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination
15-Dec
Exam 3 (Thurs. 3:00-5:00PM)