Prejudice, Stereotyping, And Discrimination 554982
TitleABC/123 Version X 1 Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination Worksheet PSYCH/620 Version
Define each concept in the “Concept Name” column based on the provided definition.
1. Judgments based on positive and negative perceptions of a social group
2. Reacting to a person as though he or she was an indistinguishable member of a particular social group
3. Acting on cognitive expectations and emotional reactions to a person's perceived membership in a particular social group
4. Bias affirms the satisfaction of belonging to the right groups; individual autonomy is balanced against group identity.
5. Bringing about the behavior in others that a biased perceiver expects
6. The degree to which one accepts a hierarchy in which some groups rightfully have a commanding influence over others
7. Similar to fundamental attribution error, as applied to groups
8. Attributing negative encounters with others to membership in a stigmatized group or others' biases against the stigmatized group to which one belongs
9. Biases assigned to a person without intention, awareness, effort, or control, often based on subliminal cues
10. Economic, political, military, or prestige-related threats to ingroup advantage that result in negative intergroup reactions
11. Applying one’s cognitive expectations and associations about a group to a person
12. Prejudice that is cool, indirect, automatic, unconscious, unintentional, and often gives reason for the perceiver to deny any bias
13. Legitimizing current social arrangements, even at the expense of the individual or the group
14. An explanation for a judgment that is used to excuse one's actual bias
15. Overt, explicit forms of bias that emphasize belonging to an ingroup and controlling outgroups
16. The value one places on one's social groups or perceived membership in various social groups
17. Reacting emotionally to an individual based on one's feelings about the group to which one believes that person belongs
18. The perception that the world is a dangerous place, which creates fear, hostility, and moral superiority and justifies aggression against perceived threats from outgroups
19. The part of one's self-concept that derives from his or her group membership
Paper For Above instruction
Prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination are interconnected yet distinct concepts that influence social interactions and societal structures. Understanding each of these constructs is essential for addressing social inequalities and fostering more inclusive communities. This paper explores the definitions and nuances of each term based on their descriptive characteristics.
Prejudice refers to preconceived judgments about a social group, often rooted in stereotypes and biases, which can be positive or negative. It is primarily an attitude—an evaluative judgment based on perceptions that are not necessarily grounded in direct experience or factual evidence. For example, judgments based on race, gender, or religion can often be prejudicial, shaping how individuals perceive others before any personal interaction occurs. According to Allport (1954), prejudice is an attitude that is resistant to change and rooted in social and cultural influences, which can perpetuate social inequalities.
Stereotyping involves generalized beliefs about members of a particular social group. It simplifies social perception by assigning similar traits or behaviors to all individuals within a group. Stereotypes can be positive or negative but are usually oversimplified and resistant to contrary evidence (Crandall & Eshleman, 2003). Stereotyping often forms the cognitive basis of prejudice, as it provides mental shortcuts that can lead to biased judgments and reactions.
Discrimination, on the other hand, is the behavioral manifestation of prejudice and stereotyping. It involves actions or practices that treat individuals or groups unfairly based on their social identities. Discrimination can occur at various levels, from subtle microaggressions to overt acts of exclusion and violence. For example, refusing employment opportunities to someone because of their racial background exemplifies discrimination (Pager & Shepherd, 2008). Addressing discrimination requires not only changing individual attitudes but also reforming policies and societal norms that facilitate unequal treatment.
Distinguishing among these concepts reveals their roles in social dynamics. Prejudice fuels stereotyping, which simplifies social perception and often leads to discriminatory behavior. These processes reinforce systemic inequalities, especially when societal structures legitimize and entrench prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory practices. For instance, historical segregation laws exemplify institutional discrimination rooted in prejudicial ideologies and stereotypes.
Beyond individual-level biases, social perception is influenced by various factors such as social hierarchy acceptance (concept 6) and economic or political threats (concept 10). For example, acceptance of hierarchical structures can justify inequalities and prevent change, as described by system justification theory (Jost & Banaji, 1994). Threat perceptions can intensify intergroup conflicts, leading to heightened prejudice and discrimination (Stephan & Stephan, 2000).
Implicit biases (concept 9), which are unconscious and automatic, also play a significant role. These biases operate without awareness and can influence behavior unknowingly, often conflicting with explicit attitudes (Greenwald & Banaji, 1995). Recognizing and addressing implicit biases is crucial for designing effective interventions aimed at reducing discrimination.
Furthermore, the perception of the world as a dangerous place (concept 18) can foster moral superiority and hostility towards outgroups, rationalizing aggressive behaviors. This perspective is often linked to social dominance orientation (concept 4 and 16), where individuals value social hierarchies and group dominance to affirm their social identity and perceived worth (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999).
In conclusion, prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination are complex social phenomena that sustain social inequalities and conflicts. Recognizing their distinctions and interactions enables more effective strategies for promoting social justice. Efforts to reduce prejudice and stereotyping, along with policies ensuring fair treatment, are essential in building inclusive societies free from discrimination.
References
- Allport, G. W. (1954). The nature of prejudice. Addison-Wesley.
- Crandall, C. S., & Eshleman, A. (2003). A hierarchical model of prejudice: The role of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Psychological Review, 110(2), 291–332.
- Greenwald, A. G., & Banaji, M. R. (1995). Implicit social cognition: Attitudes, self-esteem, and stereotypes. Psychological Review, 102(1), 4–27.
- Jost, J. T., & Banaji, M. R. (1994). The role of stereotyping in system-justification and the production of false consciousness. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33(1), 1–27.
- Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The sociology of discrimination: Racial discrimination in employment, housing, and the criminal justice system. Annual Review of Sociology, 34, 181–209.
- Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press.
- Stephan, W. G., & Stephan, C. W. (2000). An integrated threat theory of prejudice. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (pp. 1–55). Academic Press.