Subjective Perception:Subjective Perception:

Attribution theory and PrejudiceAttribution theory and Prejudice

Assumptions of Social Assumptions of Social Psychology:Psychology:

1.1. The Power of the SituationThe Power of the Situation

2.2. Subjective Perceptions Guide Subjective Perceptions Guide Behavior, not Objective RealityBehavior, not Objective Reality

Perceptions of othersPerceptions of others

Attribution = a claim about the cause Attribution = a claim about the cause of someone’s behaviorof someone’s behavior situational attributionssituational attributions

dispositional attributionsdispositional attributions

Attribution TheoryAttribution Theory

Fundamental attribution errorFundamental attribution error

self-serving biasself-serving bias

Attribution TheoryAttribution Theory

Just-world hypothesisJust-world hypothesis

Blaming the victimBlaming the victim

StereotypesStereotypes

characteristics believed to be shared by a characteristics believed to be shared by a whole group of people-schemaswhole group of people-schemas

can become building blocks of prejudicecan become building blocks of prejudice

Prejudice vs. DiscriminationPrejudice vs. Discrimination

Prejudice = an attitudePrejudice = an attitude

Discrimination = a behaviorDiscrimination = a behavior

Fuel for PrejudiceFuel for Prejudice

dehumanizationdehumanization

outgroup homogeneity biasoutgroup homogeneity bias

ethnocentrism (ingroup bias)ethnocentrism (ingroup bias)

attribution theory- the just worldattribution theory- the just world

Realistic Group Conflict TheoryRealistic Group Conflict Theory

Prejudice arises when groups Prejudice arises when groups compete for scarce resourcescompete for scarce resources

1. increased hostility towards outgroup1. increased hostility towards outgroup consensual paranoiaconsensual paranoia

2. intensification of group loyalty2. intensification of group loyalty

Example: Sherif (1954/1961) Example: Sherif (1954/1961) The Robbers Cave ExperimentThe Robbers Cave Experiment

Method:Method:

Competition vs. CooperationCompetition vs. Cooperation

Social Identity TheorySocial Identity Theory

US vs. THEM mentalityUS vs. THEM mentality

self-esteem depends on social self-esteem depends on social identityidentity

Self-esteem can be heightened by Self-esteem can be heightened by seeing one’s own group (US) as seeing one’s own group (US) as better than another group (THEM).better than another group (THEM).

Tajfel’s Minimal Group Tajfel’s Minimal Group ProcedureProcedure

Arbitrary division into groupsArbitrary division into groups

No interaction, either within groups No interaction, either within groups or between groupsor between groups

No chance for self-benefitNo chance for self-benefit

How can Prejudice be reduced?How can Prejudice be reduced?

persuasionpersuasion

educationeducation

social norms of equalitysocial norms of equality

intergroup contact?intergroup contact?