In the context of AP Psychology, which of the following best defines a stereotype?

• A. A generalized belief or expectation about a group of people that may lead to assumptions about individual members of that group.
• B. A process by which individuals change their attitudes or behaviors to fit in with a group.
• C. A mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.
• D. A technique used to measure intelligence and cognitive abilities.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that a stereotype in psychology refers to a cognitive process involving generalized beliefs or expectations about a group of people.
2. Step 2: Recognize that stereotypes simplify social perception by categorizing individuals based on group membership, which can lead to assumptions about individual members.
3. Step 3: Differentiate stereotypes from other psychological concepts such as conformity (changing behavior to fit in), mental disorders (like depression), and intelligence measurement techniques.
4. Step 4: Identify the option that describes a stereotype as 'a generalized belief or expectation about a group of people that may lead to assumptions about individual members of that group.'
5. Step 5: Confirm that this definition aligns with the psychological understanding of stereotypes, making it the best choice among the options provided.