Accuracy and Expectancy-confirming Processing Orientations and the Development of Stereotypes and Prejudice

Historically, the development and maintenance of prejudicial attitudes and accompanying social stereotypes has been accounted for within two very different theoretical traditions—one decidedly motivational in flavor, and the other focusing upon cognitive processes. The present chapter proposes a potential integration of these two distinct approaches by suggesting that diverse underlying motivational orientations (e.g. needs for individual or social self-esteem; needs for social acceptance; needs for cognitive simplicity) may all influence the development of intergroup attitudes through a common process—by leading the perceiver to adopt an expectancy-confirming (vs. an accuracy-oriented) processing orientation toward information about others. Experimental research supporting the accuracy vs. expectancy-confirming dichotomy is reviewed.