Join us for our Social Behavioral Interest Group (SBIG) Colloquium on September 25, 2025!
Speaker: Dr. Xuechunzi Bai (University of Chicago)
Title: Exploring Just Enough? An Origin Story of Stereotypes
Abstract: Social stereotypes are prevalent and consequential; they can result from segregated societies. Why are certain groups stratified into particular positions? In this talk, I propose a simple yet powerful psychological mechanism: a seemingly intelligent, self-interested exploration at the individual level that cascades into collateral damage of segregated structures at the collective level. The key insight considers stereotype formation in sequential decisions, where exploring new options is costly. Using stereotypes of immigrants in the United States as a motivating example, I show how computational cognitive modeling and large-scale online behavioral experiments can inform this proposal. This idea illustrates an insidious psychological possibility for well-intentioned and attentive decision-makers to create biased societies. I discuss promising directions and critical caveats for diversity science and fairness policy in human and artificial intelligent systems.
The Social Behavior Interest Group consists of members of the university community who are interested in social psychological research. The SBIG supports an active program of visiting speakers. The group meets weekly to hear speakers describe their recent research. Since 1990, SBIG has brought in numerous distinguished visiting speakers. Presentations have included contemporary issues in the study of attitudes, social cognition, prejudice & stereotyping, and also applied research questions in the domains of health and consumer behavior.
