Modeling stereotypes and negative self‐stereotypes as a function of interactions among groups with power asymmetries. (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lagos, Rodrigo; Canessa, Enrique; Chaigneau, Sergio E.
• Is Part Of: Journal for the theory of social behaviour. Volume 49:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 312
• Page End: 333
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: negative self‐ -- stereotypes -- agent based simulation -- social power -- stereotypes; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; 301.105
• DOI: 10.1111/jtsb.12207
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8308

Abstract

Abstract: Stereotypes is one of the most researched topics in social psychology. Within this context, negative self‐stereotypes pose a particular challenge for theories. In the current work, we propose a model that suggests that negative self‐stereotypes can theoretically be accounted for by the need to communicate in a social system made up by groups with unequal power. Because our theory is dynamic, probabilistic, and interactionist, we use a computational simulation technique to show that the proposed model is able to reproduce the phenomenon of interest, to provide novel accounts of related phenomena, and to suggest novel empirical predictions. We describe our computational model, our variables' dynamic behavior and interactions, and link our analyses to the literature on stereotypes and self‐stereotypes, the stability of stereotypes (in particular, gender and racial stereotypes), the effects of power asymmetries, and the effects of intergroup contact.