Final Exam Questions

Possible Final Exam In-class Questions

I will choose six of the following questions for the in-class half of the final exam.

Unless noted in a question below, you do not have to make reference to specific research in your answers. But your answers need to be consistent with the research we have read and discussed.

1. Pick any three of the factors discussed that promote prejudice from members of one group towards another group and its members. Describe how those three factors could follow a three-step process to prejudice formation. In other words, explain how one of those three factors could occur first, then how a second factor could build upon the first, and then how the third factor could follow it, all leading to the formation of a prejudice.

2. Explain stereotype threat in terms of self-regulation.

3. a) Use evidence from anytime during the course to explain why you think one of the prejudice/discrimination reduction strategies we discussed might work for prejudice/discrimination towards a particular group.

b) Use evidence to explain why you think that same strategy would likely be less successful for reducing prejudice/discrimination towards a different group. (Note: In a) or b) you can address prejudice or discrimination or both.)

4. We discussed a number of sources of prejudice from one group to another and its members. Using evidence from the course, make the case that one of those sources is more likely to lead to prolonged and intense prejudice than the others, and will be more difficult to undo or reduce.

5. Choose either Native Americans or Jews. Explain how language has played a significant role in their stigmatization. (I identified two components to stigmatization in class. Be sure to address both components in your answer.)

6. What factors seem to affect whether one's stereotype will lead to prejudice? Explain.

7. a) Identify the conditions Allport indicated are important for intergroup contact to lead to prejudice reduction.

b) Explain why the evidence suggests that these conditions may be sufficient but not necessary for prejudice reduction.

8. Use evidence from two of the articles or readings presented by your fellow students in class to describe how individual differences play a significant role in prejudice formation.

9. Choose a current prejudice that you believe exists. Using course concepts, explain how those who hold that prejudice likely justify it to themselves.

Take-home Final Exam Questions

Answer four of the following five questions.

1. You are advising law enforcement agencies about racial profiling. Using course concepts or research answer the following questions.

a) Should racial profiling ever be used in law enforcement? Make your case.

b) If it is to be used, describe what you believe law enforcement officers should be made aware of to reduce the risk of abusing the practice.

2. Use course concepts or research to explain why highly visible groups are more susceptible to prejudice in some ways, and why less visible groups are more susceptible to prejudice in other ways. (You can use examples of groups in your answer, but be sure to use course concepts or research as well.)

3. All right, time to reveal. Name a group that you feel some discomfort being around and for which such discomfort is probably not fully justified. Using course concepts and research, explain how you think such a discomfort developed in you towards this group. Again, using course concepts and research, describe what you think it would take for your discomfort towards this group to be reduced.

4. a) Using concepts and research from class, explain why you believe there is a significant stigma towards the mentally ill in this country.

b) Using concepts and research from class, describe what you believe might be a realistic approach to reducing that stigma and the accompanying discrimination either at the local level (e.g., North Central or Naperville) or at a larger level (e.g., state or national).

5. Using evidence from the course, make the case that our implicit attitudes more significantly affect our behavior than our explicit attitudes. Or, argue the opposite.