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Stereotypes and Stereotyping

Module description

Stereotypes and stereotyping are pervasive features of social life. Research within social psychology has made some fascinating discoveries about the origins of stereotypes, why we use them and the factors that moderate their influence. In this module we will focus on the many ways in which stereotypes have been studied, starting with the early research on content (what is in a stereotype?), to more recent work on process (how is such information organised and represented mentally?), to judgements and behaviours (how do these mental representations spill over into our attitudes/beliefs about and behaviour towards members of stereotyped groups?). Through this module you will further develop your understanding in this intriguing area, building upon basic social cognition concepts encountered in Social Psychology II.

If you enjoyed PSY2203 Social Psychology II, then this module should really appeal.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module analyses the extant literature on stereotypes and stereotyping. The module aims to explore in depth both traditional and contemporary approaches to the area. Areas considered include using stereotypes, stereotypes and language, stereotype activation, regulation and stereotype change. You will examine differing approaches to the study of stereotyping and will critically evaluate the contribution of differing methodologies and research outcomes to our understanding of social life in both laboratory and more applied settings (e.g., within organisations). As such, material in this module may be relevant for your future employment settings.

Moreover, through attending the weekly seminars and completing the assessments, you will further develop the following academic and professional skills:

• problem solving (linking theory to practice, developing your own ideas with confidence, showing entrepreneurial awareness, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• managing structure (identifying key demands of the task, setting clearly defined goals, responding flexibly to changing priorities)
• time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group)
• collaboration (respecting the views and values of others, taking initiative and leading others, supporting others in their work, maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose), and
• audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively in multiple formats, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Evaluate some traditional and contemporary approaches to the study of stereotyping. Specifically, they will have acquired a systematic understanding of the effectiveness of differing research methodologies and the ability to critically appraise the research

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 2. Acquire detailed, systematic and comprehensive knowledge within the discipline, with in-depth specialisation at the forefront of the discipline in certain areas and demonstrate advanced critical understanding of this knowledge and of the limits and provisional nature of this knowledge
• 3. Review and critically evaluate published work and identify the strengths and weaknesses of this work and structure this literature to present logical, coherent and sustained arguments to support conclusions at an advanced level
• 4. Address systematically complex problems which may be framed within unpredictable contexts, think critically, creatively, and independently and fully appreciate the complexities of the issues at an advanced level
• 5. Understand and apply essential principles in designing novel research, critically evaluate and analyse empirical evidence and assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques at an advanced level
• 6. Illustrate the wider ethical issues relating to the subject and its application at an advanced level

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

Syllabus plan

• What are stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination and where do they come from? Why bother studying them?
• Physical appearance stereotypes (e.g., age, gender, race): The current state of play
• Stereotype use: When, why and how?
• Stereotypes and language: Perpetuating negative outgroup perceptions by what we say
• Stereotype suppression
• Automatic and controlled aspects of stereotyping and prejudice
  • Stereotype activation (to include group debate)
  • Stereotype activation as a non-conscious prime for social behaviour
  • Stereotype threat
• Stereotypes and the Brain
• Can we change stereotypes and reduce prejudice? Assessing the success of social psychological interventions
• Consolidation and integration

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Three assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the examination you will have the opportunity to take a second examination in the August/September re-assessment period. For a deferred presentation, reassessment will be by arrangement with the module convenor. For a deferred presentation, reassessment will be by arrangement with the module convenor. For a referred presentation, reassessment shall be by individual presentation in the August Ref/Def period. Where you have been referred/deferred in the essay you will be required to resubmit the essay. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%; deferred marks are not capped.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Most of the research discussed will be drawn from journal articles. Several chapters from the following books will also be useful:

• Brown, R. (2010). Prejudice: Its social psychology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Macrae, C.N., Stangor, C., and Hewstone, M. (1996). Stereotypes and stereotyping. London: Guilford.
• Schneider, D. J. (2005). The psychology of stereotyping. New York: Guilford (this book is now available online in the library)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1603

Key words search

Psychology, Stereotypes, stereotyping, social cognition, stereotype activation, stereotype use, language, stereotype suppression, stereotype automaticity, stereotype change, diversity training, prejudice