Sociocultural Approaches: Theory of Formation of Stereotypes
Stereotypes
generalized beliefs about the characteristics associated with the members fo a specific social group
Illusory Correlation
Proposed by Hamilton and Gifford (1971); stereotypes may be formed as a result to an illusory correlation; when people see a relationship between two variables, even when there is none.
A false association is formed, leading one to overestimate the frequency in which the correlation occurs, and in turn a stereotype is perpetrated.
Is an example of confirmation bias: when people overlook information that contradicts what they believe.
suggests a source for formation of stereotypes.
Study Used
Snyder and Swann (1978): Illusory Correlation