Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K
K E Y T E R M S 
R E C A P 
How do stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination differ?
• Stereotypes are generalized beliefs and expectations 
about a specifi c group and its members. Stereotyping can 
lead to prejudice and self-fulfi lling prophecies. (p. 598)
• Prejudice is the negative (or positive) evaluation of a par-
ticular group and its members. (p. 598)
• Stereotyping and prejudice can lead to discrimination, 
behavior directed toward individuals on the basis of 
their membership in a particular group. (p. 598)
• According to observational learning approaches, chil-
dren learn stereotyping and prejudice by observing the 
behavior of parents, other adults, and peers. Social iden-
tity theory suggests that group membership is used as 
a source of pride and self-worth, and this may lead 
people to think of their own group as better than 
others. (p. 599)
• Social neuroscientifi c approaches to prejudice examine 
the functioning of the brain and nervous system to un-
derstand the basis of prejudice. (p. 600)
How can we reduce prejudice and discrimination?
• Among the ways of reducing prejudice and discrimina-
tion are increasing contact, demonstrating positive val-
ues against prejudice, and education. (p. 601)
E VA LU AT E
1. Any expectation—positive or negative—about an individ-
ual solely on the basis of that person’s membership in a 
group can be a stereotype. True or false?
stereotype p. 598
prejudice p. 598
discrimination p. 598
social neuroscience p. 600
2.
The negative (or positive) evaluation of a group and its 
members is called
a.
Stereotyping
b. Prejudice
c. Self-fulfi lling prophecy