Explain why stereotypes are formed and used
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
Answers should include the following points:
1) Stereotypes function as a schema – cognitive framework for processing information and for organizing, storing, and retrieving memories.
2) Stereotypes allow for greater efficiency in information processing.
3) Stereotypes allow us to conserve mental effort (cognitive miser).
4) Stereotypes allow us to maintain our beliefs about the world and about people (subtyping and illusory correlations may be mentioned in this context).
5) Stereotypes allow us to feel positively about our group identities and to increase our self-esteem.
6) Stereotypes act as theories – guiding attention and influencing the interpretation of information.
You might also like to view...
Positive reinforcers ________ the likelihood of ensuing responses
a. decrease b. increase c. extinguish d. eliminate e. have no effect on
The fact that teenagers often feel like adults far earlier than they develop the ability to make sensible, well thought-out decisions reflects the fact that the __________ often matures more quickly than the __________ lobe
a. amygdala; parietal b. hypothalamus; occipital c. thalamus; temporal d. limbic system; frontal