Prejudice

Definition

Prejudice refers to an unjustified or incorrect attitude toward an individual based solely on their membership in a social group. It often manifests as negative feelings, beliefs, or behaviors directed at individuals or groups, impacting how they are perceived and treated. This biased perception is closely linked to stereotypes, which are generalized beliefs about a group, and discrimination, which involves acting on those prejudiced beliefs in harmful ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prejudice can be both explicit (conscious) and implicit (unconscious), affecting individuals' attitudes without them realizing it.
2. Social identity theory suggests that prejudice arises when individuals categorize themselves and others into groups, leading to ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination.
3. Stereotypes are often learned from cultural norms and media representation, which can perpetuate and reinforce prejudiced attitudes over time.
4. Experiencing prejudice can have severe psychological effects on individuals, including anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem.
5. Reducing prejudice involves interventions like contact theory, which posits that increased interaction between groups can diminish negative stereotypes and promote understanding.

Review Questions

• How do stereotypes contribute to the formation of prejudice within social groups?
  • Stereotypes simplify complex human characteristics by categorizing individuals into generalized groups based on traits like race, gender, or religion. This oversimplification fosters prejudice by promoting negative attitudes and assumptions about those groups without considering individual differences. Consequently, when people rely on stereotypes to judge others, it perpetuates unfair biases that can lead to discriminatory behavior against those perceived as different.
• Discuss the relationship between prejudice and discrimination, providing examples of how one may lead to the other.
  • Prejudice serves as the underlying attitude that fuels discrimination. When individuals hold prejudiced beliefs about a certain group, they may act on these beliefs through discriminatory practices. For instance, if someone has a prejudice against a particular ethnic group, they might refuse to hire an applicant solely based on their ethnicity, demonstrating how internal biases manifest in external actions. Understanding this connection is crucial for addressing both issues in society.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of contact theory in reducing prejudice among diverse social groups and discuss any limitations it may have.
  • Contact theory suggests that positive interactions between members of different groups can reduce prejudice by fostering understanding and empathy. Empirical studies support this idea, showing that structured intergroup contact can diminish stereotypes. However, its effectiveness may be limited by factors such as power dynamics, pre-existing hostilities, or insufficient conditions for meaningful interaction. Thus, while contact theory provides valuable insights for combating prejudice, it must be combined with other strategies to address deeper systemic issues.

Related terms

Stereotype: A widely held but oversimplified belief or idea about a particular group of people that can lead to generalizations.

Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, often stemming from prejudicial attitudes.

Ingroup Bias: The tendency to favor one’s own group over others, often leading to prejudice against those outside the group.