Chapter 13, Problem 1RQ1

Summary Introduction

Introduction

The human mind cannot help but create categories that put some people into one group based on certain traits and others into an entirely different group as a result of their features. We find stereotypes about various groups that are partly influenced by the perceptions that we have formed about people over time, but it is not limited to these perceptions alone.

Explanation of Solution

Correct answer and explanation

The best answer is (A), in which social neuroscience findings suggest that there is an evolutionary benefit for the brain to quickly create categories. Social neuroscientists have found that forming categories serve as an adaptive mechanism, which is more or less hardwired into the human brain. Humans start engendering categories nearly as soon as they are born. For instance, while a newborn’s preference for race is not inborn, if they live in a “monoracial” world, they will demonstrate a preference for faces of their own race at a very young age. Thus, while we are born with the ability to discern different categories, experience helps us shape that ability right at the commencement.

Explanation for incorrect statements

Option (B) refers to the tendency to categorize and stereotype being largely determined by experience. However, while experience plays some role in shaping this ability, our tendency to categorize and stereotype is largely inborn. So, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (C) refers to people in some cultures stereotyping more than others. However, within a given culture, the pictures or stereotypes people form tend to be pretty similar. So, option (c) is incorrect.

Option (D) refers to experience playing no role in noticing different categories. However, experience actually plays an important role in helping to shape this ability to categorize. So, option (d) is incorrect.

Therefore, the options (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect.