There is perhaps no topic that has so engaged the interest of social psychologists as that of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. Researchers have studied stereotypes and prejudice toward African Americans, women, the elderly, the mentally ill, clinically obese people, homosexuals, the physically handicapped, and individuals with AIDS to name just a few. Interest in studying stereotyping and prejudice comes both from its theoretical importance as a basic process of person perception, and also from its immense practical importance. As societies are becoming more ethically diverse, people from different cultures are increasingly coming into contact with each other, with ever greater opportunities for stereotypes and prejudice to operate. This book contains a collection of classic and contemporary readings that have contributed to our understanding of stereotyping and prejudice from a social-psychological perspective. The selected readings all make an important theoretical contribution, but have also been chosen with an eye on their accessibility and appeal to students.
Specific topics include the principles of social categorization and the representation of group beliefs in memory, the measurement of stereotypes and prejudice, the underlying motivations for holding and using stereotypes and prejudice, the development and change of stereotypes and prejudice, as well as the impact of stereotypes and prejudice on individuals.