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Chapter 1. Chapter

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Scientific American: Psychology

Infographic Activity 14.3: Thinking About Other People

Thinking About Other People

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Attitudes are complex and only sometimes related to our behaviors. Like most attitudes, prejudicial attitudes can be connected with our cognitions about groups of people, our negative feelings about others (also referred to as prejudice), and our behaviors (discriminating against others). Understanding how and when these pieces connect to each other is an important goal of social psychology. Jane Elliott’s classic “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” exercise helps demonstrate how stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice may be connected.

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1.1 Quiz

1. What was the historical event that led Jane Elliott to conduct her famous “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” project?

The nomination of a woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America

The election of the first Black pope in history

The murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City

The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Correct.

Incorrect.

2. Prejudice is to the ________ component of an attitude as discrimination is to the ________ component of that same attitude.

cognitive; responsive

affective; behavioral

behavioral; cognitive

cognitive; affective

Correct.

Incorrect.

3. Thagi has been wanting to take a course in college-level calculus for some time, and she finally registers for that class. She walks in on the first day, and sees an Asian woman at the front of the class. On the board is written, “Math 341 – Calculus I – Professor Xiao.” Thagi thinks to herself, “this should be a really good class, because Asian people are really smart when it comes to math!” Thagi’s belief represents a(n) ________.

prejudice

stereotype

discriminatory attitude

external attribution

Correct.

Incorrect.

4. Louie has spent a few months working at a restaurant in the Los Angeles International Airport. During that time, he has developed the belief that people from certain cultures are rude and unpleasant. When guests from those cultures come to the restaurant, he intentionally provides them with slower and less friendly service. Louie’s differential treatment of these customers is an example of:

a bias

a stereotype

discrimination

prejudice

Correct.

Incorrect.

5. Which of the following would be the best example of prejudice?

Bartley thinks that all Latino people are lazy and want to be supported by government aid instead of working for a living.

Darla believes that all men who are very tall must be good at basketball.

Jimmy does not want people with long hair to come into his store, so when they do walk in the front door he barks, “We’re closed,” at them and ushers them out.

Ernest has studied very hard for his exam, and he thinks that his teacher recognizes the effort that he has put in based on how he performs on that test.

Correct.

Incorrect.