Formation of Stereotypes – STUDIES
Aim
Method
Results
Critical Thinking
Campbell’s (1967) – The Grain of Truth Hypothesis
Study: Ford & Stangor (1992)
To investigate the role of similarity and difference in behaviors and
traits in the development of stereotypes
Psychology students were presented with booklets of behavioral
descriptions of 2 fictitious groups (blue group and red group).
Descriptions related to either friendly, intelligent or other behaviors.
However differences were emphasized in each group – i.e. the blue
group had more descriptions of friendly but less intelligent behaviors
(e.g. “ A member of the blue group failed his driving test for the fourth
time) and vice versa. They were later asked to characterize the groups
at spontaneous times/intervals.
Participants characterized the groups in terms of their differences.
Thus supporting the idea that stereotypes therefore originate in
experiences of group differences and must contain at least a ‘grain of
truth’.
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Aim
Method
Results & Conclusion
Critical Thinking
Fisk & Tyler’s (1967) – Cognitive Misers
Study: Macrae et al (1994)
To investigate whether stereotyping can be used to assist in memory
task performance.
Participants were given a list of stereotypes and a set of consistent and
inconsistent traits related to each stereotype. They were then asked to
recall the traits.
Participants were able to remember more stereotype consistent traits.
This demonstrates that using stereotypes can make people more
proficient in other cognitive tasks (memory). The simplification of
people into categories makes processing easier (cognitive miser)
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Lost or want more??? DIG DEEPER!
For more information, try the texts:
 Illusory Correlations - Hamilton & Gifford (1976) and the use of SIT in
relation to stereotypes. – Pearson pgs 115-116
 Social Representations - Moscovici (1973) in Crane pgs 107-108