Question

Topic 4:

1a.) Define prejudice and distinguish between prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. 1b). What is the difference between explicit and implicit prejudice? 1c). Has racial prejudice disappeared in the United States? Why or why not? Explain your rationale.

2a). Examine the influences of prejudice. Describe how unequal status, socialization and institutional supports contribute to prejudice. 2b). Identify and explain how the scapegoat theory and social identity theory contribute to prejudice. 2c). What are the consequences of prejudice? Explain stereotype threat.

3a). Define aggression and describe its different forms: physical; social; hostile and instrumental. 3b). How do biological influences contribute to aggression? 3c). Explain how aggression can be explained as a response to frustration.

4a). How can the following contribute to aggression: pain, uncomfortable heat, an attack and overcrowding? 4b). Explain how media influences aggression - be sure to highlight pornography, television, Internet and video games.

5a).  Explain how proximity, physical attractiveness, similarity, and feeling liked nurture liking and loving. 5b). Explain whether this statement is supported by research: birds of a feather flock together.

6a). Identify and explain the three components of Sternberg's triangle: passion, intimacy and commitment. 6b). How does companionate love differ from romantic love? Which love do you feel is most important in a relationship?

7a). Explain how attachment, equity and self-disclosure influence and ups and downs of close relationships.

8a). Summarize factors that predict marital dissolution and describe the detachment process.

Answer 1

1a. Prejudices are unfavorable emotional reactions to or evaluations of groups and their members, while stereotypes are generalized beliefs about groups and their members. Therefore, prejudices are primarily affective while stereotypes are cognitive. Whereas, discrimination manifests itself behaviourally through the differential treatment by individuals toward some groups and their members relative to other groups.

1b. Explicit prejudices are attitudes towards individuals or groups that are at the conscious level, are deliberately formed and are easy to self-report. On the other hand, implicit prejudices are attitudes that are at the unconscious level, are involuntarily formed and are typically unknown.

1c. In my view, racial prejudice is very much present in our society. An overwhelming majority of white people in America who take the Implicit Association Test show an inherent racial bias for white people versus black people. This indicates that even though there is a strong movement towards the elimination of racial bias, implicit prejudice is still a reality.