The formation of Stereotypes

Generalised image of a social group, usually oversimplified based on assumptions. These factors therefore enhances and strengthens the stereotype.
“Grain of truth hypothesis” – Stereotypes must originate from some kind of truth in order to create the assumption.
“Illusory correlation” – Correlating the assumption with all individuals with the particular criteria.
Caused “Confirmation bias” – Overlooking factors that might disproves one’s belief and over exaggerating factors that supports one’s point of view.
“Gatekeepers” – People who maintain the stereotype. Likely to be people from the out-group, the media.

Social categorisation – Categorising yourself to an in-group and identifying the out-group.

Stereotype threat
Spotlight anxiety – Affects the performance of the individual if they are being discriminated due to stereotyping.

• Afraid of doing something that confirms that you belong to the stereotypical group.
• Conforming to the social norms of the particular stereotype. (Self fulfilling prophecy)
• Individual must relate and believe in the stereotype
• Discrimination
• Prejudice
• Labeling, stigmatization
• In extreme cases, genocide

Aronson and Steele – African and European American study (Stereotype)
[A]	To demonstrate the effect of stereotype threat.
[P]	Participants were African Americans and European Americans. 30 minutest verbal test made up of difficult multiple choice questions. Group 1 was told it was a "genuine test on verbal abilities". Group 2 was told it was a "laboratory task that was used to study how certain problems are generally solved". Did similar experiment with females and lower social class.
[F]	African Americans scored significantly lower on the test in Group 1 than European Americans. African Americans scored equally as good as European Americans on the test in Group 2.
[C]	Stereotype threat can affect any social or cultural group, provided that the members believe in the stereotype. Believing in negative stereotypes can harm the performances of group members.




Spencer et al. – Stereotype threat Maths experiment (Stereotype)
[A]	To demonstrate the effect of stereotype threat.
[P]	Participants were a group of male and female students. Gave difficult maths test to students who were strong in mathematics. Predicts that female under the stereotype threat would underperform. This stereotype threat stems from a common negative stereotype amongst society that women are less capable in maths.
[F]	Hypothesis was true, women in the experiment significantly underperformed compared to men with equal abilities. A literature test was also done. The two groups performed equally well because neither groups were put under stereotype threat
[C]	Stereotype threat can affect any social or cultural group, provided that the members believe in the stereotype. Believing in negative stereotypes can harm the performances of group members.