This lesson distinguishes stereotypes from prejudice and explores how they develop and persist. These concepts matter because biased assumptions can shape how people interpret others, even before any direct interaction.
A stereotype is an oversimplified generalization about a group of people. Stereotypes may be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. They can be positive or negative, but either kind treats group membership as if it reliably describes an individual.
All flashcards
What is a stereotype?
An oversimplified generalization about a group that can overlook differences among individuals.
What is prejudice?
A belief, thought, feeling, or attitude about a group formed as a prejudgment.
What is discrimination?
Action or treatment that disadvantages or excludes people because of group membership.
What is privilege?
Benefits people receive because they belong to a dominant group; these benefits can be structural and unnoticed.
What does it mean to be antiracist?
To actively challenge racist ideas and policies and work toward antiracist alternatives.
Quiz questions
What distinguishes institutional discrimination from individual discrimination?Answer: It is embedded in a system's rules, procedures, or ordinary operation.
What does privilege mean in the context of social inequality?Answer: Benefits linked to dominant-group membership that can operate structurally.
Which situation illustrates colorism?Answer: An employer assumes a darker-skinned person is less capable than a lighter-skinned person of the same racial group.
What is cultural racism?Answer: The incorporation of assumptions about racial inferiority into a society's culture.
Which approach is consistent with antiracist action?Answer: Identify racist practices and work to replace them with antiracist alternatives.
Based on Introduction to Sociology 3e by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, Asha Lal Tamang (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.