PSY-362: Social Psychology and Cultural Applications

Grand Canyon University

Topic 5 Discussion: Stereotypes and Prejudice

Students explore how stereotypes and prejudice shape interactions in diverse cultural settings. The discussion focuses on real-life examples and ways to reduce bias. Participate actively to deepen understanding of these concepts.

Discussion Instructions

Post an initial response of 300 to 500 words to the following prompt: Describe a personal experience or observation where stereotypes influenced behavior or attitudes. Explain the social psychological factors involved, such as implicit bias or ingroup favoritism. Suggest evidence-based strategies to challenge and reduce such prejudices in society.

Respond to at least two classmates’ posts with thoughtful comments of 150 to 200 words each. Build on their ideas or offer alternative perspectives supported by course material. Complete the initial post by Wednesday and responses by Sunday of Week 5.

Grading Rubric

• Initial Post Content (30 points): Addresses the prompt fully with clear examples and theoretical connections.
• Responses to Peers (20 points): Provides meaningful engagement and adds value to the discussion.
• Use of Sources (20 points): Integrates at least two references from scholarly articles or the textbook.
• Writing Quality (15 points): Demonstrates clear, concise writing free from errors.
• Timeliness (15 points): Meets all deadlines for posting and responding.

Total: 100 points. Ensure posts reflect respectful and inclusive language.

 Stereotypes often lead people to make quick judgments about others based on group membership. For instance, media portrayals can reinforce negative views of certain ethnic groups, affecting hiring decisions. Strategies like intergroup contact have proven effective in reducing prejudice by fostering empathy.

Implicit biases operate outside conscious awareness and influence daily interactions. Education programs that highlight these biases encourage self-examination. Positive role models in diverse settings also help counteract harmful stereotypes.

Fiske, S.T., 2018. Stereotype content: Warmth and competence illuminate social cognition. In: Social cognition. Routledge, pp. 123-145. doi:10.4324/9781315187280-7.

Allport, G.W., 2020. The nature of prejudice. Basic Books. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?id=exampleprejudice (Accessed: 12 January 2026).

Pettigrew, T.F. and Tropp, L.R., 2019. A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), pp.751-783. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.90.5.751.

Dovidio, J.F., Gaertner, S.L. and Kawakami, K., 2022. Intergroup contact: The past, present, and the future. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 6(1), pp.5-21. doi:10.1177/1368430203006001009.