Psychology of Prejudice

Catalog description

Issues that will be covered include the functions and costs of stereotyping, the formation and maintenance of stereotypes and stereotype change. Recent research concerning the role of cognitive processes in intergroup perception will be emphasized. Students in this course will critically examine both classic and contemporary research on stereotyping and prejudice, with particular attention to how approaches to this kind of research have changed over the past 20 years. Class discussions will focus on what stereotypes are, how they develop and are perpetuated, what their consequences are - both for the stereotypes and for his/her target. We will consider the theoretical distinction between stereotypes and prejudice and discuss whether this distinction has meaning in real life. From there, we will consider how prejudice is studied and evidenced in today's politically correct environment and how one attempt at a "solution" to prejudice (affirmative action) has turned out. The course will conclude with an exercise developed to help students respond to others' use of stereotyping and prejudice - whether they themselves are targets or not.