Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

d. Discrimination
3. Paul is a store manager who does not expect women to 
succeed in business. He therefore offers important, high-
profi le responsibilities only to men. If the female employ-
ees fail to move up in the company, it could be an example 
of a 
prophecy.
R E T H I N K
1.
Do you think women can be victims of stereotype vulner-
ability? In what topical areas might this occur? Can men 
be victims of stereotype vulnerability? Why?
2.
From the perspective of a corrections offi cer: How might overt 
forms of prejudice and discrimination toward disadvan-
taged groups (such as African Americans) be reduced in a 
state or federal prison?
 Answers to Evaluate Questions 
1.
true; 
2.
b; 
3.
self-fulfi
lling
 
Module 54 
Prejudice and Discrimination 
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Are people basically good or bad? 
Like philosophers and theologians, social psychologists have pondered the basic 
nature of humanity. Is it represented mainly by the violence and cruelty we see 
throughout the world, or does something special about human nature permit loving, 
considerate, unselfi sh, and even noble behavior as well? 
We turn to two routes that social psychologists have followed in seeking answers 
to these questions. We fi rst consider what they have learned about the sources of our 
attraction to others, we end with a look at two opposite sides of human behavior: 
aggression and helping.
Liking and Loving: Interpersonal 
Attraction and the Development 
of Relationships
Nothing is more important in most people’s lives than their feelings for others. Con-
sequently, it is not surprising that liking and loving have become a major focus of 
interest for social psychologists. Known more formally as the study of  interpersonal