The Psychology of Stereotyping

The first comprehensive treatment of stereotypes and stereotyping, this text synthesizes a vast body of social and cognitive research that has emerged over the past-quarter century. Provided is an unusually broad analysis of stereotypes as products both of individual cognitive activities and of social and cultural forces. While devoting careful attention to harmful aspects of stereotypes, their connections to prejudice and discrimination, and effective strategies for countering them, the volume also examines the positive functions of generalizations in helping people navigate a complex world. Unique features include four chapters addressing the content of stereotypes, which consider such topics as why certain traits are the focus of stereotyping and how they become attributed to particular groups. An outstanding text for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, the volume is highly readable and features many useful examples.

David J. Schneider, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences at Rice University, where he chaired the Department of Psychology from 1990 to 1996. He graduated from Wabash College in 1962 with majors in psychology and philosophy, and earned a doctorate in psychology from Stanford University in 1966. Prior to joining the Rice University faculty in 1989, Dr. Schneider served on the faculties of Amherst College, Stanford University, Brandeis University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Indiana University. In addition to courses in social psychology and stereotyping, he teaches introductory psychology, history of psychology, the psychology of beliefs, and psychology and law. Dr. Schneider was founding editor of Social Cognition: The Official Journal of the International Social Cognition Network and has published several social psychology texts.