Question

Identify why stereotypes are difficult to change. Describe Devine’s two-step model of cognitive processing as it relates to stereotypes and prejudice

Answer 1

The term of stereotype is related with the cognition of traditional notions like religious beliefs, gender discrimination, customary killing (In Eastern Countries like India, Bangladesh) etc.

The stereotype is a learned behavior which could be learned from childhood so it mechanizes with unconscious behavior. A stereotype person follows traditions because of social learning so the behavior goes rigid if we try to convince him/her.

The prejudicial behavior is an affective behavior which got their roots from groups or group members. If we compare the prejudice with the stereotype, we find that the stereotype behavior seems to be more rigid to control.

The stereotype behavior is a personal threat while prejudicial behavior is a social threat so that if a person changes their environment and group the possibilities increase about changing in prejudicial behavior while stereotype does not get affected by this kind of situation.

According to the theory of Devine, the individuals may perceive and respond to the world using preconceived notions and ideas, or they may perceive and respond to world taking into account factors of the situations that go against preconceived notions. These two methods of processing interact with one another and ultimately determine the behavior of an individual.     

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