Pseudocontingencies in stereotype formation: extending illusory correlations

This file is part of IDEAS, which uses RePEc data

Pseudocontingencies in stereotype formation: extending illusory correlations

Author Info

Kutzner, Florian () (Sonderforschungsbereich 504)
Vogel, Tobias (Sonderforschungsbereich 504)
Freytag, Peter (Universität Heidelberg)
Fiedler, Klaus () (Sonderforschungsbereich 504/ Universität Heidelberg)

Abstract

Under the notion of illusory correlations, simple learning paradigms (e.g. Hamilton & Gifford, 1976) have been used to study the formation of stereotypes that discriminate between majorities and minorities. In the present paper, limitations of this approach in terms of theoretical explanations and empirical evidence are addressed. Theoretically, we propose pseudocontingencies (PCs, Fiedler, Freytag & Meiser, 2008) as a more robust mechanism behind illusory correlations. In contrast to previous explanations, PCs can explain illusory correlations when groups are never paired with valence. Empirically, we replicate earlier findings, i.e. that the more frequently observed group, the majority, is evaluated more in line with the more frequently observed valence. Crucially, we extend the empirical evidence in that illusory correlations prove robust over a very large number of observations (320) and under increasingly interactive task conditions, involving predictions of valence (Experiment 2) and reinforcement-learning conditions (Experiment 3). The latter provided evidence for illusory correlations on a new measure, participants’ predictions. These predictions reflect the expectations about the valence associated with majority and minority and might well affect real life behavior. The discussion focuses on possible reasons for why PCs are used in stereotypic judgments.

Download Info
To our knowledge, this item is not available for download. To find whether it is available, there are three options:
1. Check below under "Related research" whether another version of this item is available online.
2. Check on the provider's web page whether it is in fact available.
3. Perform a search for a similarly titled item that would be available.

Publisher Info
Paper provided by Sonderforschungsbereich 504, Universität Mannheim & Sonderforschungsbereich 504, University of Mannheim in its series Sonderforschungsbereich 504 Publications with number 08-40.

Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML (with abstract), plain text (with abstract), BibTeX, RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite), ReDIF
Length: 27 pages
Date of creation: 14 Jan 2009
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:xrs:sfbmaa:08-40

Note: Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Florian Kutzner, Department of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Hauptstrasse 47-51, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany, Phone +49-6221-547366, Fax +49-6221-547745, Email: florian.kutzner@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de
Contact details of provider:
Postal: D-68131 Mannheim
Phone: (49) (0) 621-292-2547
Fax: (49) (0) 621-292-5594
Email:
Web page: http://www.sfb504.uni-mannheim.de/
More information through EDIRC

Web page: http://www.sfb504.uni-mannheim.de

Order Information:
Email:

For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: (Carsten Schmidt).

Related research
Keywords:

Statistics
Access and download statistics

Did you know? Over 80% of the top 1000 economists are registered on RePEc.

This page was last updated on 2009-12-12.

This information is provided to you by IDEAS at the Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut using RePEc data on a server sponsored by the Society for Economic Dynamics.