The Psychology of Stereotyping

by David J Schneider PhD

Overview

The first comprehensive treatment of stereotypes and stereotyping, this text synthesizes a vast body of social and cognitive research that has emerged over the past-quarter century. Provided is an unusually broad analysis of stereotypes as products both of individual cognitive activities and of social and cultural forces. While devoting careful attention to harmful aspects of stereotypes, their connections to prejudice and discrimination, and effective strategies for countering them, the volume also examines the positive functions of generalizations in helping people navigate a complex world. Unique features include four chapters addressing the content of stereotypes, which consider such topics as why certain traits are the focus of stereotyping and how they become attributed to particular groups. An outstanding text for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, the volume is highly readable and features many useful examples.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781572309296
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	10/27/2003
Series:	Distinguished Contributions in Psychology
Pages:	704
Product dimensions:	7.88(w) x 9.66(h) x 1.53(d)

About the Author

David J. Schneider, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences at Rice University, where he chaired the Department of Psychology from 1990 to 1996. He graduated from Wabash College in 1962 with majors in psychology and philosophy, and earned a doctorate in psychology from Stanford University in 1966. Prior to joining the Rice University faculty in 1989, Dr. Schneider served on the faculties of Amherst College, Stanford University, Brandeis University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Indiana University. In addition to courses in social psychology and stereotyping, he teaches introductory psychology, history of psychology, the psychology of beliefs, and psychology and law. Dr. Schneider was founding editor of Social Cognition: The Official Journal of the International Social Cognition Network and has published several social psychology texts.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Categories and Categorization
4. Schema Theories
5. Stereotype Structure and Implicit Personality Theories
6. Stereotypes as Hypotheses
7. Ingroups and Outgroups
8. Prejudice and Discrimination
9. The Development of Stereotypes
10. Change of Stereotypes and Prejudice
11. Content of Stereotypes: Gender, Race, and Age
12. Content of Stereotypes: Stigmas
13. Content of Stereotypes: Other Categories
14. Stereotype Content and Features
15. Summary

Interviews

Researchers and students in social psychology. Also of interest to sociologists. Serves as a primary or supplemental text in advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses.

Editorial Reviews

"This is without question the authoritative source on stereotyping. Issues of stereotype formation, representation, content, change, and much more are all covered in superb detail and with enviable clarity. I recommend this volume very highly for undergraduate and graduate courses in stereotyping and intergroup relations."—Miles Hewstone, DPhil, Professor of Social Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK

"A true tour de force. This text provides wonderfully comprehensive coverage of a literature that has grown exponentially in recent decades. An impressive variety of topics are addressed in a thorough, informative way: theories of stereotypes, how structure influences processing, stereotype development and change, connections to prejudice and discrimination, the content and origins of prominent stereotypes, and more. In each case, state-of-the-art research developments are situated in their historical context and integrated into the 'big picture' of the field. Schneider's writing is highly engaging, with extensive use of examples and personal anecdotes that effectively illustrate his points. A valuable contribution, highly recommended."—David L. Hamilton, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara

"Schneider has produced a meticulously researched and yet easily readable book about stereotypes, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. It is a superb mix of formal scholarship and informal anecdotes and illustrations. There are a lot of new and interesting ideas presented, as well as plenty of leads to guide research. I consider myself as an expert on intergroup attitudes, but I learned a lot by reading this book. A 'must read' for anyone interested in this complex and important field."—Charles Stangor, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park

"In a scholarly, authoritative voice—tempered by personal touches and everyday examples—Schneider takes a careful, balanced look at our assumptions about stereotyping. He places cutting-edge contemporary research in the context of historical classics. This complete and even-handed text relies on firm ground, namely the research itself. Both students and faculty will learn from it."—Susan T. Fiske, PhD, Department of Psychology, Princeton University

"In the 50 years since Allport published his classic book on prejudice, the number of quantitative studies on the topic has increased from 100 to well over 5,000. Schneider has confronted this enormous literature and produced a book that examines with intelligence and care the topics of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, and weaves into it his continuing interest in person perception and attribution. Schneider considers an enormous range of research and theory, and does so with a rare combination of theoretical neutrality and critical acumen. His marvelous book is essential reading for both new students and more advanced students who wish to appreciate the full complexity and richness of their field."—Myron Rothbart, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Oregon

From the Publisher

"Although the book can readily serve as a course text for advanced undergraduates or graduate students, it is also a scholarly guide specifying the boundaries of an essential area of social psychological research....Schneider writes engagingly. The book is peppered with anecdotes and observations that convincingly illustrate classic and contemporary theories, as well as insights that illuminate where empirical efforts should be directed hereafter. The Psychology of Stereotyping will serve the field, its students and researchers, well into the future."

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

"There is a brief, clear, and direct summary at the end that is a masterpiece....It is a work that will be a standard in the field for some time....It will also help prepare readers for the future, since throughout, they are reminded that where attitudes are concerned, new factors, situations, and categories are constantly coming into play."

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease