Us & Them
A social psychology guide to how prejudice
forms, why groups turn against each other,
and whatactuallychangesamind.
STUDY GUIDE · SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
, Contents
IThe Nature & Power of Prejudice 03
IISocial Sources of Prejudice 07
IIIMotivational Sources of Prejudice
10
IVCognitive Sources of Prejudice
13
VConsequences of Prejudice
16
VICollective Behaviour & Social Representations
VIIGroup Decision-Making 19
Glossary · Flashcard Terms 22
Theory-at-a-Glance Table
25
Self-Test & Answer Key
28
30
,I
PART ONE
The Nature &
Power of Prejudice
TheABCmodel · explicit& implicitbias · race,gender&
LGBTQ+ prejudice
, PART I — THE NATURE & POWER OF PREJUDICE
FOUNDATIONS
What Is Prejudice?
Prejudice is a negative attitude toward a group and its members,
simply because of their membership in that group. Like any attitude,
it isn't a single thing — psychologists break it down into three
interconnected components, known as the ABC model.
KEY TERM — THE ABC MODEL
Affective — the feelings involved: dislike, fear, hostility.
Behavioural — the actions that follow: discrimination.
Cognitive — the beliefs involved: stereotypes.
Together, these three components show that prejudice is never
purely intellectual — it involves emotion, thought, and action
working together, which is exactly why it's so hard to unlearn.
Explicit vs. Implicit Prejudice
Prejudice can operate in two very different ways. Explicit
prejudice is conscious and openly expressed — the person knows
they hold the attitude and will state it. Implicit prejudice operates
unconsciously and automatically, often contradicting a person's
stated values.
STUDY TIP
This is the distinction examiners love to test: even people who
sincerely and consciously reject prejudice can still show implicit
bias — especially under stress, fatigue, fear, or time pressure,
A social psychology guide to how prejudice
forms, why groups turn against each other,
and whatactuallychangesamind.
STUDY GUIDE · SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
, Contents
IThe Nature & Power of Prejudice 03
IISocial Sources of Prejudice 07
IIIMotivational Sources of Prejudice
10
IVCognitive Sources of Prejudice
13
VConsequences of Prejudice
16
VICollective Behaviour & Social Representations
VIIGroup Decision-Making 19
Glossary · Flashcard Terms 22
Theory-at-a-Glance Table
25
Self-Test & Answer Key
28
30
,I
PART ONE
The Nature &
Power of Prejudice
TheABCmodel · explicit& implicitbias · race,gender&
LGBTQ+ prejudice
, PART I — THE NATURE & POWER OF PREJUDICE
FOUNDATIONS
What Is Prejudice?
Prejudice is a negative attitude toward a group and its members,
simply because of their membership in that group. Like any attitude,
it isn't a single thing — psychologists break it down into three
interconnected components, known as the ABC model.
KEY TERM — THE ABC MODEL
Affective — the feelings involved: dislike, fear, hostility.
Behavioural — the actions that follow: discrimination.
Cognitive — the beliefs involved: stereotypes.
Together, these three components show that prejudice is never
purely intellectual — it involves emotion, thought, and action
working together, which is exactly why it's so hard to unlearn.
Explicit vs. Implicit Prejudice
Prejudice can operate in two very different ways. Explicit
prejudice is conscious and openly expressed — the person knows
they hold the attitude and will state it. Implicit prejudice operates
unconsciously and automatically, often contradicting a person's
stated values.
STUDY TIP
This is the distinction examiners love to test: even people who
sincerely and consciously reject prejudice can still show implicit
bias — especially under stress, fatigue, fear, or time pressure,
