Blog 1: Stereotypes.

Obesity Stereotyping: What, why, and how

In Australia, individuals who are obese are negatively stereotyped. It is a common stereotype that obese individuals are lazy and sloppy, unattractive, unpopular and unhappy. There is a large stigma associated with this minority group in Australia and negative attitudes and labelling against the obese is quite strong. Our culture tends to label people, and the one assigned to the "fat people" assumes that they are gluttons who have become fat because they “can’t be bothered” to exercise. Being fat was once seen as a sign of wealth and comfort, however, people now imply that the obese deserve to be fat because they over-eat take -away and other unhealthy foods. Research indicates that overweight individuals are considered to be less hardworking, less intelligent, less successful, less strong willed, and less trustworthy than their ‘normal’ weight counterparts (Larwood & Gattiken, 1995; Hebel & Heatherton, 1997).

Why it exists
Stereotypes and prejudice often exist due to learning through socialisation (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, p. 411). Once these stereotypes are learned it seems that humans innately hold on to these and are quite willing to reject anyone who is different to themselves. As humans have a tendency to conduct social categorisation, ingroups (us) and outgroups (them) are typically formed. As a form of outgroup homogeneity bias, individuals see all obese people as the same. That is to say that if they know of one obese individual who is obese due to being lazy and weak willed, then they believe that every other obese person (a member of the outgroup) is obese for the same reasons.

Stereotyping as a form of heuristic also plays a role in the existence of the negative attitudes toward the obese. That is, “trial by error” learning is used to simplify the world in which we live, and acts as mental shortcuts. Often it involves the overgeneralisation on behalf of the observer and occurs at the expense of the obese. For example, if an individual meets one unhappy obese person, then to them, all obese people are unhappy. When family and groups of friends hold negative stereotypes toward the obese, then an individual is more likely to comply with those they are close to. Known as social learning, individuals learn stereotypes from those who are influential in their life. If group members express their negative beliefs that all obese people are lazy and lack control, then an individual will also believe this, creating a viscous snowball effect. Social Function suggests that you identify own group members and are afraid of or consciously avoid others that are different. For example, “Us 'normal' weight people must avoid the obese because they are different”.

Finally, ignorance or lack of appropriate knowledge on behalf of those who hold obesity stereotypes means that they are forced to fill in the gaps or rely on other’s knowledge without direct contact themselves. An example of this is that without information provided regarding genetics and metabolism, society holds people accountable for their obesity because they are lazy and lack control.

How it was formed
Many individuals view one’s body weight as being controllable, and this is what distinguishes obesity stereotyping from other forms of stereotyping such as race, gender or some other form based on physical characteristics. It is a popular belief that eating too much and exercising too little are the major causes of obesity. Whereas other physical attributes like gender and eye colour are not controlled by the individual, obesity is not thought of in the same light.

Fundamental attribution error is the propensity for observers to attribute other’s behaviour to internal or dispositional causes (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, p. 158). When a negative result like obesity is attributed to a controllable source, negative judgements and affective responses are made regarding the stigmatized condition (Weiner, Perry, & Magnusson, 1988). Research has established a correlation between negative attitudes toward the obese and the perceived control they have over their weight (Allison, Basile, & Yuker, 1991; Crandall, 1994; Crandall & Martinez, 1996). Furthermore, ultimate attribution error, the tendency for observers to make internal attributions about whole groups of people (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, p. 158), is also a possible cause of the formation of obesity stereotyping. Attributed to individuals being cognitive misers, they often take quick and easy answers rather than thinking in depth (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, p. 159). Thus, it is easy for society to form a stereotype of obese people when no one stops to question it.

How it is maintained
The negative stereotyping of individuals who are obese has many negative ramifications such as poor psychological health, non-acceptance by peers and co-workers, reduced academic achievement, anxiety, and many more. Unlike race or gender, there is no strong social pressure to suppress anti-fat attitudes. This is possibly because much of society is unaware that weight stereotyping and discrimination exists. Society holds inaccurate beliefs and lacks appropriate information about the causes of obesity. There is growing evidence that genetic and metabolic factors, in addition to sociocultural factors, are important determinants of obesity. However, there is also a lack of studies that attempt to reduce society’s negative attitudes toward the obese. Unlike the Government’s campaigns aimed at changing attitude such as “Violence against Women” and the many informative drug ads, nothing has been done to counteract the stigma attached, or to supply society with, information regarding obesity. Thus, it is left to individuals to consciously override prejudice feelings and to rely on internal motivations to overcome their stereotypes in relation to the obese.

How the stereotype could be changed
In light of the correlation between negative attitudes and the belief that weight is totally controllable, one way to change the negative stereotyping may be to change people's belief that obese individuals can in fact control their weight. A key to reversing negative stereotypes is to contradict them. This can be done through direct interactions between people, the media, and education. Often getting to know others personally can break down negative attitudes.

Publicising the knowledge that obesity can be caused by uncontrollable physiological/metabolic and genetic factors may aid society in changing their beliefs. The media can influence and establish negative stereotypes of individuals and groups, for example, idealising the skinny. In light of this, they can also play a role in the breaking down of stereotypes. Should the media portray the obese negatively, they are more than likely increasing the severity of the stereotype. To reduce the stigma attached to the obese and the negative stereotypes, the media should aim to contradict the misconceptions held of the obese by emphasising their positive aspects.

Additionally, altering society’s perceptions of certain groups can be achieved through creating attitude change and stigma-reduction ads, such as the “Nobody Thinks Big of You” campaign targeting reckless driving and speeding. Using this as an example, those who project their negative feelings toward the obese can start to be held socially accountable for their actions. Through ad campaigns individuals will be forced to transform their motivations to overcome their prejudice from internal, to external - that is, avoid social disapproval.

It may also be important to employ the promotion of weight tolerance by addressing issues of diversity and bias. A study by Irving (2000) among elementary students, improved weight acceptance attitudes through a curriculum aimed at increasing the acceptance of body size, diversity, and to discourage teasing. This type of intervention may be useful at all school levels, work places and other institutions. Several studies have attempted to change attributions of controllability of body weight with education about biological, genetic, and non-controllable etiological factors for obesity.

Conclusion
The obese are commonly stereotyped as being lazy and sloppy, unattractive, unpopular and unhappy. There is a large stigma associated with this minority group and negative attitudes and labelling against the obese is quite strong in Australia. This stereotype exists due to socialisation learning, and once learned society innately holds onto it. Stereotypes as heuristics, social learning, social Function, and ignorance also play a role in the existence of obesity stereotyping. It is a popular belief that over-eating and under-exercising are the major causes of obesity. Many individuals view one’s body weight as being controllable which is what distinguishes stereotyping of the obese from other forms of stereotyping. Unlike race or gender, there is no strong social pressure to suppress anti-fat attitudes, and thus, the stereotype is maintained. To change and reduce the stereotyping of obesity, direct interactions between people, the media, and education must contradict the negative beliefs and attitudes.

Concept Map URL: http://jbnsocialpsychspot.blogspot.com/2007/09/concept-map-for-stereotyping.html

Reference

Allison, D. B., Basile, V. C., & Yuker, H. E. (1991). The measurement of attitudes toward and beliefs about obese persons. International Journal of Eating Disorders , 10, 599-607.

Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2008). Social psychology and human nature (1st ed.). Belmont, California: Tomson Wadsworth.

Crandall, C. S. (1994). Prejudice against fat people: Ideology and self-interest. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 66, 882-894.

Crandall, C. S., & Martinez, R. (1996). Culture, ideology, and antifat attitudes. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 22, 1165-1176.

Hebel, M. R., & Heatherton, T. F. (1997). The stigma of obesity: The differences are black and white. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 24, 417-426.

Irving, L. M. (2000). Promoting size acceptance in elementary school children: The EDAP puppet program. Eating Disorders , 8, 221-232.

Larwood, L., & Gattiker, U. E. (1995). Rational bias and interorganizational power in the employment of manafement consultants. Group and Orgnasization Studies , 10, 4-12.

Weiner, B., Perry, R. P., & Magnusson, J. (1988). An attributional analysis of reactions to stigmas. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 55, 738-748.