PSY 410: STEREOTYPES AND PREJUDICE

This course will examine the current theories and methodologies focused on understanding stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. The origins of stereotypes and prejudicial attitudes, and how affective, motivational, and cognitive processes might be involved will be discussed. To explore these issues, the course will examine how stereotypes are assessed, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, and present a multi-method approach for assessing stereotypes and prejudice. Topics in the course include: reasons for the persistence and prevalence of stereotypes and prejudice, understanding psychological processes underlying prejudice directed toward a variety of social groups, and possible ways to change group stereotypes or reduce prejudice. Finally, psychology's current understanding of why people use and apply stereotypes in their everyday behavior and thinking will be investigated.