Discuss how and why cognitive processes can produce prejudice. What is the impact of culture on prejudice? Once stereotypes and prejudices are formed, how do they come to be self-perpetuating?
1. Prejudice has traditionally been assumed to be the product of some form of malice, brought about by social or emotional forces. In recent years, there has been increasing research on how prejudice can result from cognitive processes, without malicious intent. Discuss how and why cognitive processes can produce prejudice. What is the impact of culture on prejudice? Once stereotypes and prejudices are formed, how do they come to be self-perpetuating?
2. Describe institutional bias. Provide some examples of institutional biases? What roles do attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices play in institutional biases? What impact does cultural influence have on institutional biases?
Read Chapter 6 in Social Psychology.
URL: http://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2016/social-psychology_ebook_14e.php
Read “The Neuroscience of Prejudice and Stereotyping” by Amodio from Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2014).
Read “Ageism” by Byrnes & Dillaway from The Encyclopedia of Elder Care: The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric Health and Social Care (2013)
Take one (gender, age, race, sexuality, disability, or weight) of the Implicit Association Tests (IAT) at the Harvard University website.
In 750-1,000 words, address the following:
- Examine how attitude is formed.
- Discuss how personal implicit biases can form understandings at a local, national or global level.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the IAT as a research tool.
- Reflect on your personal results from the IAT.
Use three to five scholarly sources to support your thinking, your textbook can be used as one of the resources.
