expectation-states theory

a sociological explanation of status differentiation in groups proposing that group members allocate status not only to those who possess qualities suggesting competence at a task (specific-status characteristics) but also to those who have qualities that the members (mistakenly) think are indicators of competence and potential, such as sex, age, wealth, and ethnicity (diffuse-status characteristics). See also status generalization.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

analogies test

a test of the participant’s ability to comprehend the relationship between two items and then extend that relationship to a different situation: For example, paintbrush is to paint as pen is to ___.