STAGE 2 PSYCHOLGY RESEARCH PROGRAM Stereotyping OVERVIEW TOPIC

STAGE 2 PSYCHOLGY RESEARCH PROGRAM Stereotyping

OVERVIEW TOPIC: Social Cognition • What does this research program look at? – Stereotyping and how it affect our memory and the assumptions we make • How is it delivered? – Students select participants outside of the classroom who will complete a series of tasks conducted by the students

RESEARCH DESIGN SUMMARY Experimental Quantitative Observational Qualitative Comparisons: Comparisons between preexisting groups. Content Analysis of data collected from the Focus Group OR Delphi Technique - Differences in number of backpack items recalled between participant groups - Differences in number of backpack items recalled within a participation group Relationships: - Between ’positive’ and ‘negative’ backpack items recalled: - Rating Scale scores and number of backpack items recalled between participant groups Male vs Female: - Number of backpack items recalled - Rating scale scores Age groups: - Number of backpack items recalled - Rating scale scores Relationships between preexisting groups (Male vs Female; age groups) in their rating scale scores and number of backpack items recalled.

MEASURES/ASSESSMENTS OBJECTIVE • Age • Gender • Recall of backpack items SUBJECTIVE • Rating scale on certain types of people • Participant’s self description

QUALITATIVE • Focus group questions: • Stereotyping is prevalent in society. To what extent do you think people’s occupational titles (doctor, social worker, banker, lawyer) evoke stereotyping? • Stereotyping originates in a number of sources. (a) Give examples of these sources, and (b) Explain the extent to which you think the media (or other sources) influence the formation and maintenance of stereotypes and stereotyping.

POSSIBLE RESEARCH QUESTIONS / HYPOTHESES • Does memory performance indicate differences in stereotyping between males and females? • Do people who consider themselves as “poor” or “wealthy” have the same perception about “wealthy” people?

EVALUATION PROS: • Conducted in student time • Large and diverse data set • Data can be easily collated and summarised CONS: • Ethical considerations: – Recruiting participants – Stereotypes and classroom relevance • Research design may be too complex for lower-achieving students • The data can be easily ’fudged’ by students

CONCLUSION • Would recommend upon consideration of average classroom ability and avoidance of ethical issues. • Students will gain insight and experience into research design and experimentation in psychology and also into a widely social cognitive phenomenon.