Apply theories and concepts about prejudice, stereotypes, and groups to different points related to these topics.
Write a 4–5 page assessment in which you apply theories and concepts about prejudice, stereotypes, and groups to different points related to these topics.
PREJUDICE
Prejudice occurs all over the world, often contributing to violence, oppression, and other forms of harm. What are the distinctions between stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice? When do stereotypes become prejudices? Racism and sexism occur across races, ages, genders, religions, physical appearances, sexual orientations, and so on. Prejudice creates emotional, physical, and economic harm to individuals, groups, and society as a whole. But what factors create prejudice, and how can prejudice be reduced? What role does media play in both maximizing and minimizing stereotypes and prejudices? By examining how prejudices are cultivated and the damage they cause, we can begin to see how we might overcome and prevent prejudice.
GROUPS
Anyone who has worked in teams knows the challenges of working as a team but also the synergistic accomplishments that come when the team works well together. The fact is that as cultural animals we are required to be part of groups of varying types and sizes. Social psychology seeks to answer important questions that assist us in understanding the challenges, limitations, and benefits of groups. What makes some groups more and some groups less cohesive? Can groups outperform individuals? This area of social psychology researches these questions as well as topics such as how exclusion of outside information can lead to groupthink and how anonymity in a group can lead to social loafing. Social psychology also looks at different styles of leadership and their effects on group dynamics and performance.
Learning dynamics of group process and leadership potentially makes us better group participants and leaders. The research findings in these areas have implications for organizations from as small as neighborhood associations to as large as governments. Businesses, both small and large, have taken notice of and applied research in these areas to improve job practices and employee relations and performance.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 2: Apply social psychological theory to topics in the field.
Examine how attitudes and behaviors of a group influence prejudice and stereotyping.
Explain how membership in a group influences social judgment.
Competency 3: Apply social psychological research to topics in the field.
Analyze how portrayal of ethnic, cultural, and social groups by the media influences social perception of the group and perpetuates stereotyping.
Analyze how subtle stereotyping and cognitive dissonance can affect the ability to bring about social change.
Competency 4: Apply ethical reasoning to social psychology topics.
Describe ethical challenges researchers face when conducting research on controversial topics.
Competency 5: Apply critical thinking to social psychology topics.
Examine the implications and consequences for society of not addressing prejudice and stereotyping.
Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
Use APA format and style.
RESOURCES
BACKGROUND
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 8, “Social Influence and Persuasion,” pages 257–290, addresses social influence and persuasion techniques and how to resist persuasion.
Chapter 14, “Groups,” pages 490–524, addresses groups, how groups think, and the roles of power and leadership in groups.
PREJUDICE AND STEREOTYPING
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 13, “Prejudice and Intergroup Relations,” pages 447–490, addresses prejudice, why prejudice exists, overcoming prejudice, and the impact of prejudice and stereotyping.
Baston, R., & Vosgetau, G. (2016). Implicit attitudes and implicit prejudices. Philosophical Psychology, 29(6), 889–903.
This article examines implicit attitudes and defines the position that implicit prejudices are not assumed to be mental states.
Pirchio, S., Passiatore, Y., Panno, A., Maricchiolo, F., & Carrus, G. (2018). A chip off the old block: Parents’ subtle ethnic prejudice predicts children’s implicit prejudice. Frontiers in Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.
MEDIA INFLUENCE ON GROUP SOCIAL PERCEPTION
Shaver, J. H., Sibley, C. G., Osborne, D., Bulbulia, J. (2017). News exposure predicts anti-Muslim prejudice. PLoS ONE, 12(3), 1–19.
Sonnett, J., Johnson, K. A., & Dolan, M. K. (2015). Priming implicit racism in television news: Visual and verbal limitations on diversity. Sociological Forum, 30(2), 328–347.
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Vraga, E. K. (2015). How party affiliation conditions the experience of dissonance and explains polarization and selective exposure. Social Science Quarterly, 96(2), 487–502.
Only Republican respondents demonstrate heightened dissonance, selective exposure, and polarization after writing a counterattitudinal essay.
Schulzke, M. (2016). The social benefits of protecting hate speech and exposing sources of prejudice. Res Publica, 22, 225–242.
ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN RESEARCHING CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS
Othman, Z., & Hamid, F. Z. A. (2018). Dealing with un(expected) ethical dilemma: Experiences from the field. The Qualitative Report, 23(4), 733–741.
This article suggests approaches that qualitative researchers can adopt when doing research on sensitive subjects.
LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDE
You will need to find other resources to prepare for this assessment, and you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide can help direct your researchASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS Prejudice and stereotyping seem to be part of the human condition, and it is essential to examine how attitudes develop in order to change our behavior as individuals and as a society.Search for research articles on theories and concepts related to prejudice, stereotypes, and groups. For your assessment, apply at least one theory or concept to each of the following:Examine how attitudes and behaviors of a group can contribute to prejudice and stereotyping.
Analyze how the portrayal of ethnic, cultural, or social groups by the media can influence social perception of those groups and perpetuate stereotypes. Provide specific examples of how a group has been portrayed in the media.
Explain how membership in a group can influence social judgment.
Analyze how subtle stereotyping in everyday language and cognitive dissonance can affect the ability to bring about social change. Provide specific examples.
Describe the types of ethical considerations researchers should consider before conducting research on the hotly debated topics of prejudice and stereotyping.
What are the implications and likely consequences for society if prejudice and stereotyping are not reduced?
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines.
Resources: Minimum of 3–4 scholarly or professional resources.
Length: 4–5 double-spaced pages, in addition to the title page and reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Answer preview Apply theories and concepts about prejudice, stereotypes, and groups to different points related to these topics.
APA
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