Origin of Stereotypes:
Where do they come
from?
Socio-cultural perspective
Kernel of truth hypothesis
Illusory correlations
Socio-Cultural
Perspective
„Premise: Individuals
are socialized into a
particular culture
(e.g., media or
significant others)
Socio-Cultural Perspective
1. People are born into a culture
2. People are rewarded/punished
for their beliefs, values,
behaviors
3. People act in accord with norms
4. People internalize norms
5. Internalization perpetuates the
norms
Socio-Cultural
Perspective
Two versions of socio-cultural
view:
z Structuralist-Functionalist
z Conflict theory
StructuralistFunctionalist Version
A single culture accepted
throughout a society
StructuralistFunctionalist Version
Function of stereotypes:
zcommunicate expected
behavior
zcommunicate how
different people
should be treated
Conflict Theory
Version
Multiple subcultures
within society
People accept norms of
their subculture
Conflict Theory
Version
People within a subculture are
similar
People in different
subcultures are different
Differences between
subcultures creates conflict
Conflict Theory
Version
Function of stereotypes:
„justify prejudice
Kernel of Truth
Hypothesis
„Premise:
Stereotypes are
exaggerations that
exist in some
measure in a group
Kernel of Truth
Hypothesis
1. The larger a real
difference between
groups, the more likely
the attribute will be in
the stereotype
Kernel of Truth
Hypothesis
2. Stereotypes become
more accurate as contact
between groups increases
Kernel of Truth
Hypothesis
3. Behaviors punished in one
group but not in another
tend to be in a stereotype
Kernel of Truth
Hypothesis
4. Similar behaviors
performed in different
situations tend to be in
stereotypes, but differ in
favorableness
We are loyal - They are clannish
We are brave – They are
aggressive
We are thrifty – They are cheap
Kernel of Truth
Perceived differences…
•are not veridical
•are exaggerated
•are not genetic
Illusory Correlations
Perceive stronger
relationship between
two variables
than actually exists
Illusory Correlations
Associate group with attribute
Cognitive biases “corroborate”
the perceived association
¾confirmation biases
¾recall consistent
information better
Models of Stereotype
Change
Bookkeeping Model
Conversion Model
Subtyping Model
Bookkeeping Model
„ Each instance of inconsistent
information changes the
stereotype
Single instance = small change
Accumulation = large change
Bookkeeping Model
Prediction
More inconsistent
information leads to
greater stereotype
change
Conversion Model
„ Large/salient instances of
inconsistent information change
the stereotype
Conversion Model
Prediction
Concentrated inconsistent
information leads to
more stereotype change
Subtyping Model
„Typical instances of
inconsistent information
change the stereotype
„Rare instances of
inconsistent information
lead to subtypes
Subtyping Model
Prediction
Dispersed inconsistent
information leads to more
stereotype change
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Purpose: Tested the three
models of stereotype
change
Procedure:
z Given information about
lawyers
z Rated each lawyer on
stereotypic traits
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Manipulations
Group size:
¾6 members
¾30 members
Dispersion:
¾Dispersed
¾Concentrated
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Manipulations
Amount:
¾Small: 6 inconsistent traits
¾Large: 30 inconsistent traits
Pattern:
¾Dispersed
¾Concentrated
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Predictions
More stereotype change when
inconsistent information is:
z large (bookkeeping)
z concentrated (conversion)
z dispersed (subtyping)
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Stereotype Change
8
7
6
5
4
3
Small
Large
Amount
Stereotype Change Study
Weber & Crocker (1983)
Stereotype Change
8
7
6
5
4
3
Dispersed
Concentrated
Pattern
Stereotype Maintenance
Subtyping Model
ΠSubtypes maintain
stereotypes
Cognitive Biases
ΠBetter recall of
stereotype-consistent
information
ΠConfirmation bias
Recall Study
Cohen (1981)
Procedures
Video of a librarian
Attributes did and did
not match the
stereotype
Recalled target’s
attributes
Recall Study
% recalled correctly
Cohen (1981)
90%
85%
80%
75%
70%
65%
60%
Consistent
Inconsistent
Information
Information
Confirmation Biases in
Hypothesis Testing
Search for
information that
confirms one’s
beliefs
IntrovertedExtroverted Studies
Snyder & Colleagues
„Introverted:
“What factors make it
hard for you to really
open up to people?”
„Extroverted:
“What kind of
situations do you seek
out if you want to
meet new people?”
Introverted-Extroverted
Studies
Snyder & Colleagues
Results
Participants asked questions
that that elicited confirming
behavior from partner