MCAT Psychological Social Foundations Flashcards: 8b Stigma Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism

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This deck focuses on 8b Stigma Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for MCAT Psychological Social Foundations.

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Flashcard 1: Identify the concept: "My culture's customs are normal; others are wrong or inferior."

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Classic ethnocentric thinking: my way is the right way.

Flashcard 2: Identify the term: laws and institutional rules produce unequal outcomes for a stigmatized group.

Answer: Structural stigma. Discriminatory policies built into social structures.

Flashcard 3: What is labeling theory as it relates to deviance and stigma?

Answer: Deviance can result from being labeled deviant and treated accordingly. Labels create deviance through changed self-concept and social treatment.

Flashcard 4: What is stigma in sociology as used on the MCAT?

Answer: A devalued attribute that discredits a person and lowers social status. Stigma marks someone as 'lesser' due to a characteristic society devalues.

Flashcard 5: What is the key difference between stigma and stereotyping?

Answer: Stigma is devaluation; stereotyping is belief generalization about a group. Stigma targets individuals; stereotypes target group characteristics.

Flashcard 6: What is the difference between stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination?

Answer: Stereotype: belief; Prejudice: attitude; Discrimination: behavior. Progresses from thought to feeling to action against a group.

Flashcard 7: Identify the concept: a clinician assumes a cultural practice is "noncompliance" without context.

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Misinterprets cultural differences through own cultural lens.

Flashcard 8: What is cultural imperialism?

Answer: Promoting one culture's values as universal and imposing them on others. Dominant culture forces its worldview onto others.

Flashcard 9: What is internalized stigma (self-stigma) in the context of marginalized identities?

Answer: Adopting negative societal beliefs about oneself as true. When stigmatized individuals believe society's negative views of them.

Flashcard 10: Identify the concept: "To understand this practice, interpret it using local meanings."

Answer: Cultural relativism. Seeks emic (insider) rather than etic (outsider) understanding.

Flashcard 11: What is the fundamental attribution error as it can relate to stigmatized groups?

Answer: Overattributing others' behavior to disposition and underattributing situation. Fundamental attribution error biases judgments by overemphasizing personal traits over situational factors in stigmatized individuals.

Flashcard 12: What is prejudice (distinguish it from discrimination)?

Answer: Negative attitude or affect toward a group or its members. Emotional/evaluative component, while discrimination is behavioral.

Flashcard 13: What is discrimination (distinguish it from prejudice)?

Answer: Behavior that disadvantages people based on group membership. Actions taken, not just thoughts or feelings like prejudice.

Flashcard 14: What is the labeling theory of deviance?

Answer: Deviance is shaped by social labels that can produce a deviant identity. Social reactions to behavior create self-fulfilling prophecies.

Flashcard 15: What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of stigma and social interaction?

Answer: Expectations shape behavior, causing the expected outcome to occur. Beliefs about outcomes influence actions that make them real.

Flashcard 16: What is internalized stigma?

Answer: Acceptance of negative stereotypes about one's own stigmatized identity. Person believes society's negative views about their stigmatized trait.

Flashcard 17: What is stereotyping as used in social psychology on the MCAT?

Answer: Assigning generalized beliefs about a group to an individual. Stereotyping applies oversimplified group characteristics to individuals, contributing to stigma and biased perceptions.

Flashcard 18: What is the in-group in social identity theory?

Answer: The group with which an individual identifies and feels membership. Social identity derives from belonging to this group.

Flashcard 19: What is public stigma?

Answer: Societal-level negative beliefs, emotions, and actions toward a group. Society's collective stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.

Flashcard 20: What is structural stigma?

Answer: Institutional policies and norms that systematically disadvantage a group. Systems and structures perpetuate disadvantage beyond individual bias.

Flashcard 21: Identify the concept: a landlord refuses to rent to someone with schizophrenia.

Answer: Enacted stigma. Direct discrimination based on mental health diagnosis.

Flashcard 22: What is labeling theory as it relates to stigma?

Answer: Labels shape identity and behavior, promoting deviance via social reactions. Society's reaction to labels creates the deviant behavior.

Flashcard 23: Which term describes: "A patient avoids care to escape being labeled mentally ill"?

Answer: Stigma (anticipated or perceived stigma leading to avoidance). Fear of stigma creates barriers to seeking help.

Flashcard 24: What is the difference between public stigma and self-stigma?

Answer: Public: society stereotypes; self: individual internalizes devaluation. Public comes from external sources; self comes from within.

Flashcard 25: What is stigma in sociology as it relates to a person possessing a socially devalued attribute?

Answer: A discrediting attribute that reduces social status and acceptance. Stigma marks individuals as 'other' and diminishes their social worth.

Flashcard 26: What is a cultural universalism approach in ethics?

Answer: Applying the same moral standards to all cultures regardless of context. Contrasts with relativism by asserting absolute moral truths.

Flashcard 27: Identify the concept: "Policies unintentionally disadvantage a racial group across institutions."

Answer: Structural stigma (institutional discrimination). Embedded in systems, not just individual attitudes.

Flashcard 28: What is structural stigma?

Answer: Societal-level policies and institutions that systematically disadvantage a group. Discrimination embedded in laws, policies, and institutions.

Flashcard 29: What is stigma in sociology and social psychology?

Answer: A discrediting attribute that reduces a person to a tainted identity. Marks someone as 'spoiled' or devalued in social interactions.

Flashcard 30: Which concept best fits: "I prefer my group and rate it more positively"?

Answer: In-group favoritism. Tendency to favor and positively evaluate one's own group.

Flashcard 31: What is a cultural universal?

Answer: A trait or practice found in all human cultures. Cultural universals, like language or kinship, highlight shared human experiences across diverse societies.

Flashcard 32: What is cultural universality?

Answer: A norm or practice found across all (or nearly all) human cultures. Shared human traits transcend cultural boundaries.

Flashcard 33: Which concept best describes suspending judgment to understand a practice in its local context?

Answer: Cultural relativism. Seeks understanding before evaluation of cultural practices.

Flashcard 34: What is structural stigma?

Answer: Institutional policies and norms that systematically disadvantage a group. Discrimination embedded in societal systems and structures.

Flashcard 35: What is the medicalization of deviance?

Answer: Redefining a behavior as a medical disorder requiring clinical treatment. Transforms social issues into individual pathologies.

Flashcard 36: Identify the term: a parent is avoided socially because their child has a stigmatized condition.

Answer: Courtesy stigma. Stigma transfers through social connections.

Flashcard 37: What is structural stigma?

Answer: Societal-level policies and norms that systematically disadvantage a group. Structural stigma embeds discrimination in institutions, perpetuating inequality through policies and cultural norms.

Flashcard 38: What is the "medicalization of deviance" and how does it relate to stigma?

Answer: Defining deviance as illness; can reduce blame yet still sustain stigma. Medical framing may reduce moral blame but maintains otherness.

Flashcard 39: Which option best describes cultural relativism: judge by own norms or by local norms?

Answer: Judge practices by local norms and context (not by one's own norms). Relativism requires understanding cultures on their own terms.

Flashcard 40: What is enacted stigma?

Answer: Overt discrimination or exclusion directed at a stigmatized person. Actual discriminatory behaviors experienced by stigmatized persons.

Flashcard 41: Identify the term: denying jobs to a group due to a negative label about that group.

Answer: Discrimination (enacted stigma). Active differential treatment based on group membership.

Flashcard 42: What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of stigma?

Answer: Expectations elicit behaviors that make the expectations come true. In stigma contexts, self-fulfilling prophecies occur when expectations of failure or rejection lead to confirming behaviors.

Flashcard 43: What is xenocentrism?

Answer: Belief that other cultures are superior to one's own culture. Xenocentrism reflects a preference for foreign cultures, often stemming from dissatisfaction with one's own.

Flashcard 44: What is anticipated stigma in health and social behavior research?

Answer: Expecting future prejudice or discrimination because of a stigmatized status. Anticipated stigma leads to avoidance behaviors and stress, as individuals preemptively prepare for potential discrimination.

Flashcard 45: What is a spoiled identity in Goffman's stigma framework?

Answer: A social identity viewed as tainted, reducing full social acceptance. Goffman's term for damaged social identity from stigma.

Flashcard 46: What is stigma in the sociological sense as tested on the MCAT?

Answer: A devalued social attribute that discredits a person in others' eyes. Goffman's theory defines stigma as an attribute that spoils one's identity, leading to social devaluation and exclusion.

Flashcard 47: What is the key difference between stigma and prejudice?

Answer: Stigma is a discrediting label; prejudice is an attitude toward a group. Stigma focuses on individual discrediting traits, while prejudice involves broader negative attitudes toward entire social groups.

Flashcard 48: Identify the concept: calling another culture "primitive" because it differs from yours.

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Shows bias by using own cultural values as universal standard.

Flashcard 49: What is xenocentrism?

Answer: Belief that another culture is superior to one's own culture. Opposite of ethnocentrism; devalues one's own culture.

Flashcard 50: What is felt stigma (perceived stigma)?

Answer: Expectation or perception of being judged, rejected, or discriminated against. Anticipation of stigma affects behavior even without actual discrimination.

Flashcard 51: Which term describes unequal treatment based on group membership?

Answer: Discrimination. Actions that disadvantage people based on their group identity.

Flashcard 52: What is the etic approach in cross-cultural research?

Answer: Studying cultures using outsider, universal constructs to compare groups. The etic approach applies external frameworks for comparative analysis, facilitating cross-cultural generalizations.

Flashcard 53: What is enacted stigma?

Answer: Direct experiences of rejection, exclusion, or unfair treatment. Actual discriminatory behaviors experienced by stigmatized persons.

Flashcard 54: What is stigma in sociology and social psychology?

Answer: A socially discrediting attribute that devalues a person or group. Creates social distance through negative labeling and stereotyping.

Flashcard 55: Which option is cultural relativism: "Understand the practice by local norms" vs "Condemn by my norms"?

Answer: Understand the practice by local norms. Relativism suspends judgment; ethnocentrism imposes it.

Flashcard 56: What is structural stigma?

Answer: Institutional policies and norms that systematically disadvantage a group. Embedded in organizations and systems, not just individual actions.

Flashcard 57: What is the difference between ethnocentrism and xenocentrism?

Answer: Ethnocentrism favors own culture; xenocentrism favors another culture. Both involve cultural bias but in opposite directions.

Flashcard 58: What is the emic approach in cross-cultural research?

Answer: Studying culture from the insider perspective using culture-specific concepts. The emic approach prioritizes indigenous perspectives to capture unique cultural meanings in research.

Flashcard 59: What is ethnocentrism in the study of culture?

Answer: Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own culture. Viewing one's culture as superior and the standard for others.

Flashcard 60: Which option best describes cultural relativism: judging by your culture or by theirs?

Answer: By theirs (within the culture's own norms and meanings). Relativism requires understanding from insider perspective.

Flashcard 61: Which term describes a clinician interpreting symptoms using the patient's cultural norms, not their own?

Answer: Cultural relativism. Avoids ethnocentric bias in clinical assessment.

Flashcard 62: What is discrimination in the context of stigma and intergroup relations?

Answer: Behavior that disadvantages people based on group membership. Discrimination enacts prejudice through unequal treatment, often reinforcing stigma in social interactions.

Flashcard 63: What is stigma in sociology and psychology?

Answer: A socially discrediting attribute that devalues a person in a context. Context-dependent because what's stigmatized varies across cultures and situations.

Flashcard 64: What is the difference between a discredited and a discreditable stigma?

Answer: Discredited is visible/known; discreditable is concealable/unknown. Visibility determines stigma management strategies needed.

Flashcard 65: What is the difference between a discredited stigma and a discreditable stigma?

Answer: Discredited is visible/known; discreditable is concealable/unknown. Goffman's distinction based on stigma visibility.

Flashcard 66: What is a stereotype (as used in stigma and prejudice research)?

Answer: A generalized belief about a group applied to its members. Cognitive shortcut that oversimplifies group characteristics.

Flashcard 67: What is internalized stigma (self-stigma)?

Answer: Accepting negative stereotypes about oneself and applying them inward. Internalized stigma arises when individuals adopt societal negative views, impacting self-esteem and mental health.

Flashcard 68: What is a stereotype (as used in social psychology)?

Answer: A generalized belief about the characteristics of a group. Oversimplified mental image applied to all group members.

Flashcard 69: What is the emic approach in cultural research?

Answer: Culture-specific, insider perspective using local categories and meanings. Studies culture from within using participants' own concepts.

Flashcard 70: What is cultural relativism?

Answer: Evaluating a culture's practices within that culture's own context. Cultural relativism encourages understanding practices based on their cultural context, avoiding ethnocentric judgments.

Flashcard 71: What is structural (institutional) stigma?

Answer: Policies and norms that systematically disadvantage a stigmatized group. Built into laws, policies, and institutional practices.

Flashcard 72: What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of stigma?

Answer: Expectations trigger behaviors that make the expected outcome more likely. Belief in a prediction causes actions that fulfill it.

Flashcard 73: What is self-stigma (internalized stigma)?

Answer: Adoption of negative societal beliefs about oneself. Person internalizes society's negative views about their group.

Flashcard 74: What is courtesy stigma (stigma by association)?

Answer: Stigmatization of someone due to association with a stigmatized person. Family/friends of stigmatized individuals face stigma too.

Flashcard 75: What is the difference between enacted stigma and felt (perceived) stigma?

Answer: Enacted is experienced mistreatment; felt is fear/expectation of rejection. Actual discrimination versus anticipated discrimination.

Flashcard 76: What is structural stigma in public health and sociology?

Answer: Stigma embedded in laws, policies, and institutional practices. Discrimination built into societal systems and organizations.

Flashcard 77: What is courtesy stigma (stigma by association)?

Answer: Stigma directed at people connected to a stigmatized person or group. Others face stigma due to their association with stigmatized individuals.

Flashcard 78: Which concept best describes suspending judgment to understand a practice in its culture?

Answer: Cultural relativism. Cultural relativism promotes objective analysis by considering cultural contexts, fostering cross-cultural understanding.

Flashcard 79: What is courtesy stigma (stigma by association)?

Answer: Stigma applied to someone because of their association with a stigmatized person. Extends stigma to those connected to stigmatized individuals.

Flashcard 80: What is stigma in sociology and social psychology?

Answer: A devalued social attribute that discredits a person in others' eyes. Stigma marks someone as different and inferior in social interactions.

Flashcard 81: Which term describes a stigmatized identity that can be hidden (for example, mental illness)?

Answer: Concealable stigma. Concealable stigmas allow individuals to manage disclosure, but often lead to internal stress and identity concealment.

Flashcard 82: Identify the concept: An anthropologist suspends judgment to interpret a ritual within local meaning.

Answer: Cultural relativism. Understanding practices through the culture's own framework.

Flashcard 83: What is the key distinction between stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination?

Answer: Stereotype: belief; Prejudice: attitude; Discrimination: behavior. Cognitive vs. affective vs. behavioral components of bias.

Flashcard 84: What is the difference between enacted stigma and felt (perceived) stigma?

Answer: Enacted: discrimination; Felt: expectation or fear of being stigmatized. Enacted is actual discrimination; felt is anticipated stigma.

Flashcard 85: Which concept best describes believing your culture is the correct standard for all others?

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Assumes one's cultural norms are universally valid.

Flashcard 86: What is the difference between enacted stigma and felt stigma?

Answer: Enacted: discrimination; Felt: internal shame and fear of discrimination. Enacted is external treatment; felt is internal experience.

Flashcard 87: What is a culture-bound syndrome?

Answer: A disorder-like pattern recognized mainly within a specific culture. Culture-bound syndromes illustrate how mental health manifestations are shaped by specific cultural beliefs and contexts.

Flashcard 88: Identify the concept: "Our culture's parenting style is superior to theirs."

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Assumes one's own cultural practices are inherently better.

Flashcard 89: Identify the concept: A clinician interprets a patient's beliefs using only their own cultural norms.

Answer: Ethnocentrism. Using one's cultural lens exclusively shows ethnocentric bias.

Flashcard 90: What is cultural relativism as a principle for evaluating cultural practices?

Answer: Understanding practices within their own cultural context and values. Avoids judgment by analyzing cultures on their own terms.

Flashcard 91: What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?

Answer: Prejudice: attitudes; discrimination: behaviors that disadvantage a group. Prejudice is internal bias; discrimination is external action.

Flashcard 92: What is enacted stigma (experienced stigma)?

Answer: Direct experiences of prejudice or discrimination due to a stigmatized trait. Enacted stigma involves actual encounters with bias, directly affecting the stigmatized individual's opportunities and well-being.

Flashcard 93: Identify the term: a student underperforms after being reminded of a stereotype about their group.

Answer: Stereotype threat. Awareness of stereotypes impairs task performance.

Flashcard 94: What is xenocentrism?

Answer: Belief that another culture is superior to one's own culture. Opposite of ethnocentrism; devalues one's own culture.

Flashcard 95: What is courtesy stigma (stigma by association)?

Answer: Stigma directed at people associated with a stigmatized individual. Family/friends of stigmatized people face secondary stigma.

Flashcard 96: What is the difference between ethnocentrism and xenocentrism?

Answer: Ethnocentrism favors one's culture; xenocentrism favors others' cultures. Ethnocentrism elevates one's culture, while xenocentrism diminishes it in favor of others, both representing cultural biases.

Flashcard 97: Identify the concept: a patient avoids care because they expect discrimination for HIV.

Answer: Felt stigma (perceived stigma). Anticipatory stigma prevents seeking needed medical services.

Flashcard 98: What is courtesy stigma (stigma by association)?

Answer: Stigma directed at people connected to a stigmatized individual or group. Associates face stigma due to their relationship with stigmatized persons.

Flashcard 99: What is self-stigma?

Answer: Internalization of public stigma, leading to reduced self-esteem and efficacy. Person accepts negative stereotypes as true about themselves.

Flashcard 100: What is the etic approach in cultural research?

Answer: Cross-cultural, outsider perspective using universal analytic categories. Studies cultures from outside using researcher's framework.