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Human Natures: Psychological Essentialism in Thinking about Differences between People
Author(s) -
Haslam Nick,
Whelan Jennifer
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2008.00112.x
Subject(s) - essentialism , psychology , prejudice (legal term) , social psychology , personality , race (biology) , sexual orientation , ethnic group , variety (cybernetics) , identity (music) , social identity theory , social group , sociology , gender studies , physics , artificial intelligence , anthropology , computer science , acoustics
‘Psychological essentialism’ is the belief that members of a category share deep‐seated properties that determine their identity. In the case of social categories, such beliefs have a variety of important implications. We review recent research that shows a central role for essentialist thinking in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Special attention is paid to beliefs about race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, mental disorder, and personality. Lingering questions about essentialist thinking are discussed, and several directions for future research are suggested.