Melissa grew up in the South and is prejudiced against New Yorkers. She sees a TV program about a kind-hearted but clumsy New Yorker and afterward she talks about how the program made the New Yorker appear to be bumbling, stupid, and ignorant. Melissa's behavior best illustrates which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Melissa's behavior reflects the selective perception of a stereotype. She grew up in the South and has a prejudice against New Yorkers. Therefore, she only perceives negative things about them, ignoring any positive traits they might possess. This selectivity of person perception is a common result of stereotypes. Self-serving bias and defensive attribution refer to different types of biases that are not specifically demonstrated in this scenario.

Melissa Grew Up in the South and Is Prejudiced Against