Ingroup/Outgroup Stereotypes

Chapter 7 discusses the concept of social categorization, specifically, our tendency to form "ingroups" and "outgroups."  Should you wish to complete this assignment for course credit, you'll look more into these two concepts.

Please complete the following:

• What is an ingroup?  Outgroup?
• Although these stereotypes are beneficial in that they help us categorize quickly, they can without a doubt cause havoc.  Please read this article.
• (You are also welcome to watch the link to the blue eye/brown eye experiment, but just know that it was originally aired in the 1980s, so they use some language a lot of people would cringe about today.  Nonetheless, it's interesting!  Here is a direct link to it.) 
• Summarize what you read.  Please use concepts discussed in the book or previous class periods (where applicable) in your summation.
• How does the article suggest you combat the tendency to fall into the "ingroup-outgroup trap"?

Implicit Association Test

A hot topic in Social Psychology right now is prejudice, which is covered in Chapter 7 of our textbook. In addition, the Implicit Association Test is a very popular way to test one's prejudice, and is also briefly discussed in the text.

Should you choose to complete this blog for course credit, please complete the following:

• Define prejudice.
• What is the Implicit Association Test (IAT)?  In other words, what does it measure?
• Visit this website and take one of the listed IATs.  You have several options to choose from, but you just need to complete one.  They take about 10 minutes or so.
• Although you don't need to share your results as it can at times make people uncomfortable, I do want you to discuss your experience taking the test and whether you believe your results were fairly accurate.

Stereotyping on TV

Stereotypes are all around us, yet we often don't realize.  This could be a fun and eyeopening experience for you, so have some fun with it!  Should you choose to complete this assignment for credit, please complete the following:

• What is a stereotype?
• Why do stereotypes exist?  Do you think they are positive or negative?
• Go to YouTube and find a clip of a television show that displays some sort of stereotype.  Please include a link to your video.
• Describe the stereotype in your clip.  What do you think of this stereotype and what implications does it have for members of the stereotyped group?

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Chapter 7 discusses the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy.  This is a pretty popular term throughout psychology, so should you choose to complete this assignment for course credit, please do the following:

• What is meant by the self-fulfilling prophecy?
• Read this article.
• Summarize the article.
• What is the difference between confidence and arrogance? 
• How can you use the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy in your life?