practice questions for exam 2 psy 360

What does it mean to activate a stereotype, and what are two examples of factors that cause stereotypes to be activated? Research suggests that the activation of stereotypes leads to biased information processing. What does this mean? (NOT FINISHED WITH THE ANSWER)

Activating a stereotype happens if appropriate categorical cues are processed. This can lead to biased information processing, which happens when the information we receive is out of sync with what we believe to be true.

Describe ambivalent sexism, and provide examples of benevolent and hostile sexism. How does ambivalent sexism contribute to system justification? (NOT FINISHED WITH THE ANSWER)

Ambivalent sexism is an ideology that is composed of both hostile and benevolent prejudice towards women. Hostile sexism reflects negative evaluations and stereotypes about gender, like women are inferior to men. Benevolent sexism is evaluations of gender that may appear positive but are actually damaging to people, like the idea that women need to be protected by men.

What is aversive racism? Is it more likely to be associated with implicit prejudice or explicit prejudice? Explain. (NOT FINISHED WITH THE ANSWER)

Aversive racism is basically a type of racism that happens unconsciously and is when negative evaluations of racial/ethnic groups is accompanied by avoiding interaction with those groups.

Describe the difference between implicit prejudice and explicit prejudice. Why is implicit prejudice difficult to detect and difficult to prevent?

Explicit prejudice is the kind of prejudice that contributes to racism and is a feeling about another group that we are consciously aware of and that we can control. Implicit prejudice occurs at a subconscious level and is internalized so we may not be aware of it happening. Implicit prejudice is difficult to detect and difficult to prevent because we are not aware that it is happening and therefore do not know that we are acting on it.

Describe the Bodenhausen et al. (1988) study, and indicate how the results suggested biased information processing.

The Bodenhausen et al. study looked at the effects of stereotypes on information interpretation. There were 2 IVs in this study, the first one was the defendant, either Ramirez or Johnson, and the second one was the other that the information appeared, either the facts first or the names first. The results showed that there were significantly more guilty verdicts in the name first in the Ramirez condition. This suggests biased information processing because the participants were associating the two names with stereotypes, leading to one being more guilty than the other.

What is the jigsaw classroom? Describe it, and provide an example of a context in which it could be used. Would you say it's more closely related to Social Dominance Theory or Social Identity Theory? Explain.

The jigsaw classroom is a cooperative learning technique that helps to reduce racial conflict among school children. It helps to promote better learning and the students are dependent on each other in order to succeed. I would say that it is more closely related to the social identity theory, because it ties into the need for self-esteem, ingroup favoritism, and derogation of outgroups.

One reason we stereotype others is to justify oppressing them. Explain this, provide an example, and indicate the relevant theory. (NOT FINISHED WITH THE ANSWER)

The relevant theory to this could possibly be the social dominance theory, where there are hierarchies, groups at the top, discrimination, and we develop beliefs about others.

What is stereotype threat? Provide an example. According to research, there are several ways to prevent the effects of stereotype threat. Describe three of these.

stereotype threat is a potential consequence of stereotypes. It is an experience of anxiety by individuals being evaluated on a task for which heir group is stereotyped to lack ability. An example of stereotype threat would be women and math or older adults and driving. One example of preventing stereotype threat would be to make people aware of the stereotype threat (just knowing about it helps). Another example would be to make them feel good about themselves. A third example would be to communicate expectations of success to others.