Prejudice Chap 5

Chapter Overview

• Focus: Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.

• Contents:

  • Nature of prejudice and its changes.

  • Causes underlying prejudice.

  • Strategies to reduce prejudice.

Learning Objectives

• 5.1: Differentiate types and levels of prejudice; understanding persistence and decline.

• 5.2: Recognize the socialization of prejudice through culture and media, including social media's impact.

• 5.3: Understanding group divisions and factors leading to discrimination.

• 5.4: Summarize effective strategies researched for reducing prejudice.

The Nature of Prejudice: Persistence and Change

• Prejudice has evolved; racism and sexism remain critical issues.

• Definitions:

  • Racism: Prejudice and discrimination based on racial background.

    • Levels: Individual, institutional, and cultural racism.

    • Systemic Racism: Institutional practices that support dominance of one racial group over another.

  • Sexism: Prejudice based on gender; promoting male dominance.

  • Stereotypes: Associations linking groups to specific traits.

  • Discrimination: Negative behaviors towards individuals because of group membership.

• Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination can operate independently but often reinforce each other.

Racism: Current Forms and Challenges

• Research indicates a decline in overt racial prejudice but persistent elements remain.

• Historical comparisons of ethnic stereotypes reveal significant shifts:

  • 1933: 75% of White students described Black Americans negatively.

  • 2021: Positive perception increased significantly, with attitudes toward interracial marriage shifting from 4% approval in the 1950s to 94% in 2020s.

Persistent Racism Examples

• Recent Events:

  • Racist flyers and messages in various high schools.

  • Police violence against individuals of color.

• Systematic Discrimination: Ongoing disparities in housing, employment, healthcare affecting minorities.

Individual and Systemic Levels

• Notable structural barriers lead to discrimination against marginalized communities:

  • Statistics: Surveys show 63% of Black adults believe racism is a significant issue.

  • Example of racial bias in housing appraisals.

• Workplace Discrimination: Meta-analysis indicates racial bias in hiring practices across multiple countries and demographics.

Explicit and Implicit Racism

• Explicit Racism: Clear and overt acts of prejudice.

• Implicit Racism: Unconscious biases that affect judgments and actions without awareness, evidenced in behaviors like job applicant evaluations.

Stereotype Threat

• Concept by Claude Steele: Performance can be hindered when individuals fear confirming negative stereotypes.

• Research Findings: Situations where stereotype threat exists can lead to reduced performance in academic contexts.

Causes of Prejudice: Culture and Socialization

• Socialization: Learning norms from family, peers, and media contributes to the development of prejudice.

• Stereotypes and Gender Roles: Children receive distinct messages based on gender which shape their perceptions and behaviors.

Media Influence

• Presence of stereotypes in media affects behaviors and self-esteem, influencing public perceptions about minority groups.

Systemic Solutions

• Training Programs: Many corporate bias and diversity training programs yield minimal long-term change; systemic changes are often needed.

• Intergroup Contact Theory: Direct interaction under equal status, cooperation, and positive social norms can reduce prejudice.

Conclusion: Reducing Prejudice

• Effective approaches support positive intergroup interactions, improving perceptions through shared experiences and understanding.

• Future Directions: Promote policies supporting diversity, and engage in educational outreach to change societal norms.