Abstract
Stereotype formation may be based on the exaggeration of real group differences (category accentuation) or the misperception of group differences that do not exist (illusory correlation). This research sought to account for both phenomena with J. K. Kruschke's (1996, 2001, 2003) attention theory of category learning. According to the model, the features of majority groups are learned earlier than the features of minority groups. In turn, the features that become associated with a minority are those that most distinguish it from the majority. This second process is driven by an attention-shifting mechanism that directs attention toward group-attribute pairings that facilitate differentiation of the two groups and may lead to the formation of stronger minority stereotypes. Five experiments supported this model as a common account for category accentuation and distinctiveness-based illusory correlation. Implications for the natures of stereotype formation, illusory correlation, and impression formation are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 305-323 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 1 2009 |
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Keywords
- categorization and attention
- category accentuation
- illusory correlation
- social categorization
- stereotype formation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
Attentional Processes in Stereotype Formation : A Common Model for Category Accentuation and Illusory Correlation. / Sherman, Jeffrey; Kruschke, John K.; Sherman, Steven J.; Percy, Elise J.; Petrocelli, John V.; Conrey, Frederica R.
In: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 96, No. 2, 01.02.2009, p. 305-323.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Attentional Processes in Stereotype Formation
T2 - A Common Model for Category Accentuation and Illusory Correlation
AU - Sherman, Jeffrey
AU - Kruschke, John K.
AU - Sherman, Steven J.
AU - Percy, Elise J.
AU - Petrocelli, John V.
AU - Conrey, Frederica R.
PY - 2009/2/1
Y1 - 2009/2/1
N2 - Stereotype formation may be based on the exaggeration of real group differences (category accentuation) or the misperception of group differences that do not exist (illusory correlation). This research sought to account for both phenomena with J. K. Kruschke's (1996, 2001, 2003) attention theory of category learning. According to the model, the features of majority groups are learned earlier than the features of minority groups. In turn, the features that become associated with a minority are those that most distinguish it from the majority. This second process is driven by an attention-shifting mechanism that directs attention toward group-attribute pairings that facilitate differentiation of the two groups and may lead to the formation of stronger minority stereotypes. Five experiments supported this model as a common account for category accentuation and distinctiveness-based illusory correlation. Implications for the natures of stereotype formation, illusory correlation, and impression formation are discussed.
AB - Stereotype formation may be based on the exaggeration of real group differences (category accentuation) or the misperception of group differences that do not exist (illusory correlation). This research sought to account for both phenomena with J. K. Kruschke's (1996, 2001, 2003) attention theory of category learning. According to the model, the features of majority groups are learned earlier than the features of minority groups. In turn, the features that become associated with a minority are those that most distinguish it from the majority. This second process is driven by an attention-shifting mechanism that directs attention toward group-attribute pairings that facilitate differentiation of the two groups and may lead to the formation of stronger minority stereotypes. Five experiments supported this model as a common account for category accentuation and distinctiveness-based illusory correlation. Implications for the natures of stereotype formation, illusory correlation, and impression formation are discussed.
KW - categorization and attention
KW - category accentuation
KW - illusory correlation
KW - social categorization
KW - stereotype formation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=60749118364&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=60749118364&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/a0013778
DO - 10.1037/a0013778
M3 - Article
C2 - 19159134
AN - SCOPUS:60749118364
VL - 96
SP - 305
EP - 323
JO - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
SN - 0022-3514
IS - 2
ER -