The formation of stereotypes through cumulative cultural transmission
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Hutchison J
(2018)
Context and Perceptual Salience Influence the Formation of Novel Stereotypes via Cumulative Cultural Evolution.
in Cognitive science
Martin D
(2017)
How societal stereotypes might form and evolve via cumulative cultural evolution
in Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Martin D
(2014)
The spontaneous formation of stereotypes via cumulative cultural evolution.
in Psychological science
| Description | The overarching achievement of the grant has been to provide a unique answer to one of the social psychology's most intractable problems - how do cultural stereotypes form? We provide evidence that cultural stereotypes are the unintended but inevitable consequence of sharing social information; stereotypes form as a consequence of cumulative cultural evolution. When people were asked to recall newly learned information (i.e., personality attributes) about novel social targets (i.e., 'alien' individuals), they inadvertently added a categorical structure that was not previously present. When their recollections were passed on to another person to learn (a bit like the children's game often called 'Chinese Whispers') the merest hint of category structure was unconsciously detected and subsequently inadvertently amplified in their recollections. Thus, as it passes from one person to the next, a task that is initially random and requires remembering multiple attributes associated with many different individuals becomes increasingly structured and learnable, with some attributes being used to describe multiple individual aliens who share categorical physical properties (e.g., by the end of one chain all green aliens were agreed to be pushy and arrogant, while red aliens were thought to be shy). Structure continues to accrue over time until a stable, easily learnable relationship exists between category membership and associated information - until a stereotype has formed. Importantly, our findings can explain both those aspects of real-life stereotypes that contain a "kernel of truth" due to the overrepresentation of certain attributes among category members and those aspects of stereotypes that are seemingly arbitrary and have no basis in reality. We find that where a genuine relationship exists between social categories and attributes, people are very good at detecting this, remembering it and then passing this information on. However, crucially, we also find that where there is no existing relationship between social categories and attributes, we see this association emerging spontaneously over time as the social information evolves. Another major contribution of the grant has been the development of the linear diffusion chain method for examining stereotype formation (as outlined above). Having adapted a technique originally used in evolutionary linguistics, we refined this across the duration of the grant to produce an experimental method likely to be utilized in future stereotype formation research. We also made a number of significant breakthroughs in the statistical analysis of linear diffusion chain data that can be exploited by researchers interested in cumulative cultural evolution. In sum, our research suggests a novel theoretical mechanism that can explain how stereotypes form- via cumulative cultural evolution-and a methodology for studying this process in the lab-using linear diffusion chains. Our findings open new avenues for future research to examine how shared social and cognitive biases affect the cumulative cultural evolution of stereotypes in the lab, thereby informing our understanding of the origins of real-world stereotypes. If we can understand how cultural stereotypes form and naturally evolve, then in the long-term we might be able to positively influence stereotype content. All the objectives of the grant were met. |
| Exploitation Route | It is hoped our novel theoretical proposition - that stereotypes form unintentionally via cumulative cultural evolution - will be further examined and tested by social psychologists interested in stereotypes. To this end, is anticipated that researchers will make use of the innovative linear diffusion chain we developed. However, we also anticipate that further evidence for our theoretical position will be forthcoming from researchers using different methods. Equally, we expect researchers interested in other aspects of cumulative cultural evolution (e.g., evolutionary linguists) to make use of the statistical advances we made for analysing linear diffusion chain data. There is a clear gap between our current scientific understanding of stereotypes and public perceptions of what they are and the crucial role they play in our everyday lives. The key findings from the grant shed light on the origins of stereotypes, the often arbitrary nature of stereotype content and the crucial role that stereotypes play in organising social information. It is hoped that in the future educators, policy makers and the third sector can use these findings to increase public understanding of the positive and negative influences of stereotypes. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education |
| Description | The findings of the research have had considerable academic interest and media coverage (see Publications and Engagement Activities). The findings of the research have also been disseminated directly to high school children through exhibitions at the British Science Festival and Dundee Science Festival. I have also communicated the findings of the research directly to third sector organisations, through my contact with fellow members of the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) and major trade unions (i.e., UNISON & UCU). One promising possible source of impact might come from presentations I have given about the research to the University of Aberdeen Athena SWAN team. The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. I impressed upon the Athena SWAN team in Aberdeen the fact that our research suggests that stereotypes can change via cumulative cultural evolution. The team members indicated a willingness to embrace these ideas in its approach to address gender inequality in higher education. I will continue to work with the Athena SWAN team to ensure any potential impact is realised. The ground-level experimental nature of this research means that any larger impacts on policy or society more generally are likely to be much further in the future. I will continue to update the narrative impact as and when such impacts are discernible. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Description | ESRC Research Grants Scheme |
| Amount | £294,894 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ES/N019121/1 |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 06/2020 |
| Description | Could stereotypes come from word of mouth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release accompanying press conference describing core findings Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/4471/ |
| Description | Did stereotypes evolve like language? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article and interview with the Daily Mail newspaper Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2198764/Did-stereotypes-evolve-like-language-Research... |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at the Gordon's Schools, Huntly. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 50-secondary school children (14-16-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 82% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Event with Philosophy Cafe in Schools at Banff Academy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Banff Academy, Banff. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 60-secondary school children (16-18-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 87% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Event with Philosophy Cafe in Schools at Mearns Academy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The Post Doc on the grant, Dr Jacqui Hutchison, gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Mearns Academy, Laurencekirk. This event was organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe in Schools programme. The purpose of the talk was to inform school pupils about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate among the pupils. The talk was attended by around 60-secondary school children (16-18-year-old). There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. A post event questionnaire indicated that 73% of pupils reported having increased understanding after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Invited public talk/debate with students at Stirling University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited online talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to students at Stirling University. The event was organised by the Stirling University Psychology Society. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20 undergraduate students. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Invited public talk/debate with students at the University of Aberdeen |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited in-person talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to students at the University of Aberdeen. The event was organised by the University of Aberdeen Psychology Society. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20 undergraduate students. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | How do society's stereotypes form and change (or not change!)? - Philosophy Cafe general public talk/debate in Stonehaven library |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias at Stonehaven library, in an event organised by the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe. The purpose of the talk was to inform the general public about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias" and to spark cafe style discussion and debate. The talk was attended by around 20members of the public. There was considerable debate after the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | I heard it on the grapevine: the social evolution of information. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In September 2012, I led a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Universities across Scotland, as we hosted an interactive exhibition at the British Science Festival ("I heard it on the grapevine: the social evolution of information"). This event allowed members of the public of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about the recent findings from my ESRC grant. Specifically, they were able to take part in fun experiments that helped demonstrate how stereotypes can form unintentionally as information passes from person to person. The findings of the grant received international media attention |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | I heard it on the grapevine: the social evolution of information. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | In November 2013, we took a scaled down version of our British Science Festival Exhibition ("I heard it on the grapevine: the social evolution of information") to Dundee Science festival. This event allowed members of the public of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about the recent findings from my ESRC grant. Specifically, they were able to take part in fun experiments that helped demonstrate how stereotypes can form unintentionally as information passes from person to person. Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Lead presentation at an online workshop on Generics and Stereotypes in Language hosted by the ILLC, University of Amsterdam |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Kenny Smith (co-applicant on this grant) were invited to give the opening talk at an international interdisciplinary workshop on generics and stereotypes in language. The workshop, hosted by the University of Amsterdam, included researchers from across Europe and North America, from a range of academic fields (e.g., social psychology, cognitive psychology, linguistics, computing science). There were eight invited talks and extensive discussion about state-of-the-art findings, the future of the field, and potential future collaborative work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Pink is for boys...how stereotypes evolve |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Newspaper article and interview with the Irish Times Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Press release - Scientists reveal the origins of stereotypes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | The press release received considerable interest from national and international media. Below is a list of print and online sources that published articles based on the press release: Online sources: The Huffington Post; Pacific Standard; Science Daily; Webnewswire.com; Science Codex; Medical Xpress; Bright Surf; Health Canal; Health News Digest; Herald Scotland; Science Newsline; Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Print sources: The Times; The Sun; The Daily Mail; The Scotsman; The Herald; The Press and Journal Greater public understanding of the origins and evolution of stereotypes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.abdn.ac.uk/psychology/news/6543/ |
| Description | Provided training relating to social bias at University of Aberdeen's 2-day teaching course for new staff |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | As part of a 2-day teaching course for new staff at the University of Aberdeen, I gave a short presentation on social bias and led a group discussion on the effects social bias can have on equality and diversity issues. I have participated in these courses twice yearly since 2018. The staff on the courses have commented that these sessions have challenged their preconceptions and made them reconsider the best course of action in difficult situations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Ran an interactive stall as part of the University of Aberdeen Health Inclusion Week, which provided information about stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We ran an interactive stall illustrating the effects of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination as part of the University of Aberdeen's Inclusion Week. The stall had posters providing information and a number of fun interactive tasks that people could take part in. We received very positive feedback from people taking part, with many stating that they felt better informed and that they would consider about their thoughts and behaviours differently in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Ran an interactive stall at the University of Aberdeen Health and Well-being Day, which provided information about stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We ran an interactive stall illustrating the effects of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination as part of the University of Aberdeen's Health and Well-being day. The stall had posters providing information and a number of fun interactive tasks that people could take part in. We received very positive feedback from people taking part, with many stating that they felt better informed and that they would consider about their thoughts and behaviours differently in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Stereotype evolution |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview and discussion as part of the British Science Festival's 'x-change' live stage show and podcast. Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Stereotypes 'evolve like language', say researchers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC news online article covering the core findings of the grant (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19487021). Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19487021 |
| Description | Stereotypes and social cognitive bias: In the lab and in the wild |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I gave an invited talk on stereotypes and social cognitive bias to the Rowett Institute. The purpose of the talk was to inform members of the Institute about the potential effects of "Unconscious Bias". The talk was attended by around 80-researchers and academics. There was considerable discussion after the talk. A large proportion of the audience reported having reconsidered their attitudes as a consequence of the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Stereotypes form via 'Chinese Whispers' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article on British Science Association website describing core findings of the research. Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/british-science-festival/news/stereotypes-form-chinese-whis... |
| Description | Talk to the Aberdeen Sceptics in the Pub Group on "The formation of cultural stereotypes" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk on stereotype formation to the Aberdeen Sceptics in the Pub Group and chaired a subsequent discussion among their members. The event was attend by members of the general public who attend regular Sceptics in the Pub meetings. The session challenged people's understanding of the origins and function of stereotypes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk to the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe on "The formation of cultural stereotypes" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a talk on stereotype formation to the Aberdeenshire Philosophy Cafe and chaired a subsequent discussion among their members. The event was attend by members of the general public who attend regular Philosophy Cafe meetings. The session challenged people's understanding of the origins and function of stereotypes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | The formation of stereotypes |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An article and interview for ABC radio (Australia). Section not completed |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/the-formation-of-stereotypes/4261382 |
| Description | Unconscious bias training for the School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I delivered unconscious bias training to all staff in the School of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen. This training prompted many questions and a number of staff reported having re-evaluated their thoughts and behaviours as a result of the session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Banchory-Devenick Primary School, Aberdeenshire March 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Mill O Forest Primary School, March 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Mill O Forest Primary School, March 2018). School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Portlethen Primary School, March 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use (Portlethen Primary School, October 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We have participated in Science Week events and worked in partnership with local schools giving a series of talks around what stereotypes are, why we have them and how we might modulate their use. School pupils and teachers reported increased knowledge stereotypes and how they influence their lives. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |