Reading From Eliot Aronson's The Social Animal

Reading From Eliot Aronson The Social Animal Aronson Defines Prejud

Reading from Eliot Aronson The Social Animal Aronson defines prejudice as a hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable group on the basis of generalizations derived from faulty or incomplete information. In this chapter, we will examine four primary causes of prejudice: economic and political conflict, displaced aggression, personality needs, and conformity to social norms. These causes can operate simultaneously, but understanding their relative importance is critical because strategies to reduce prejudice depend on identifying its main causes. For instance, if prejudice is seen as deeply rooted in human nature, efforts to combat it through social interventions might seem futile. Conversely, recognizing specific causes allows for targeted approaches, such as reducing competition or addressing conformity pressures.

Prejudice can negatively affect minorities but may also sometimes work in favor of them, illustrating its complex role in societal dynamics. Stereotyping, often misconstrued solely as a form of social abuse, is actually a cognitive process that helps simplify complex information about the world. This mental shortcut is rooted in the need to conserve cognitive resources, considering that processing every individual difference in detail would be overwhelming. However, these stereotypes and prejudgments are learned behaviors, rather than innate traits, emphasizing the importance of socialization and environment in shaping prejudiced attitudes.

Understanding prejudice requires acknowledging its multifaceted causes. Economic and political conflicts often foster hostility because groups view each other as threats or competitors for resources and power (Blumer, 1958). This competition can lead to us-versus-them mentalities, reinforcing stereotypes and negative attitudes. Displaced aggression suggests that individuals who experience frustration or failure may redirect their hostility onto less powerful or powerless groups, thereby perpetuating prejudice (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). Personal insecurities and needs also play a role; for example, some individuals may cling to prejudiced beliefs to bolster their self-esteem or feel a sense of belonging.

Conformity to social norms can significantly influence prejudiced behaviors. When discriminatory attitudes are widespread or socially acceptable, individuals tend to adopt these attitudes to fit in or avoid social sanctions (Asch, 1951). These norms create a societal climate where prejudice persists and is reinforced across generations. Yet, the plasticity of social attitudes also opens avenues for change; by altering social norms and reducing intergroup competition, prejudice can be mitigated.

The debate on whether prejudice is a fixed aspect of human nature or a malleable social construct influences intervention strategies. If prejudice is viewed as inherent, efforts to reduce it might seem hopeless, leading to resignation or reliance solely on individual psychotherapy. However, evidence suggests that because prejudice is learned, it can also be unlearned through education, intergroup contact, and norm changes. The success of programs like interracial dialogues and diversity training demonstrates that social environments strongly influence prejudiced attitudes (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006).

In conclusion, prejudice is a multifaceted social phenomenon driven by various interrelated factors. Understanding these causes is essential for developing effective strategies to combat prejudice and promote social harmony. Recognizing that stereotypes are learned and that social norms can change offers hope for reducing societal prejudice. Interventions must therefore focus on altering economic, political, and social conditions, addressing displaced aggression, and creating environments where positive intergroup interactions are valued and normalized.

Paper For Above instruction

Prejudice remains a pervasive social issue affecting societies worldwide, and understanding its underlying causes is essential to effectively addressing and reducing it. Eliot Aronson, in his work "The Social Animal," offers a comprehensive analysis of prejudice by defining it as a hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable group, formed often through generalizations based on incomplete or faulty information. Recognizing the roots of prejudice involves exploring multiple interrelated causes, including economic and political conflicts, displaced aggression, personality needs, and conformity to social norms.

One of the central causes of prejudice is the economic and political competition that arises over resources and power. When groups perceive themselves as rivals in the struggle for limited resources, hostility and negative stereotypes tend to emerge. Blumer (1958) described this as a result of group competition, where economic threat often transforms into social hostility. For example, during periods of economic downturn, minority groups are often scapegoated and blamed for societal problems, reinforcing prejudiced attitudes rooted in perceived threat. Political conflicts similarly foster divisive attitudes, as leaders and factions may manipulate perceptions of threat to mobilize support or suppress dissent (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999).

Displaced aggression, another pivotal cause of prejudice, occurs when individuals vent their frustrations and hostility onto less threatening groups. This process serves as a psychological safety valve, allowing people to cope with their own failures or frustrations by displacing anger on vulnerable groups, often minorities or marginalized communities (Tajfel & Turner, 1979). Such behaviors are exacerbated when social or economic conditions produce widespread dissatisfaction, as individuals seek external targets to blame for their hardships.

Additionally, personal personality needs influence prejudiced attitudes. For some individuals, holding prejudiced beliefs can serve as a means of bolstering self-esteem or maintaining a sense of superiority (Jost et al., 2009). Prejudice, in this context, functions as a psychological defense mechanism against feelings of insecurity or inferiority. By categorizing others as inferior or threatening, individuals temporarily elevate their own self-worth, which underscores the importance of addressing underlying psychological needs when developing prejudice-reduction strategies.

Conformity to social norms significantly sustains prejudice within societies. When discriminatory attitudes and behaviors are embedded within the fabric of social and cultural norms, individuals tend to adopt these attitudes to fit in and avoid social sanctions (Asch, 1951). This normative influence explains how prejudice persists across generations, perpetuated by social groups and institutions that uphold discriminatory practices. Social norm interventions, therefore, have proven effective in reducing prejudice by shifting societal attitudes and behaviors (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006).

Understanding whether prejudice is innate or learned influences approaches to its reduction. Aronson emphasizes that stereotypes are learned responses to social and environmental cues, not fixed biological traits. Consequently, prejudice is modifiable through education, exposure to diverse groups, and the alteration of social norms. Intergroup contact theory suggests that increased interaction and cooperation between groups can diminish stereotypes and reduce prejudiced attitudes (Allport, 1954). Programs fostering such contact, alongside policies promoting social equality, can significantly combat prejudice.

While some may argue that prejudice is deeply rooted in human nature, evidence suggests that environmental factors play a predominant role and that prejudiced attitudes are malleable. For example, community-based interventions, diversity training, and educational programs have demonstrated success in changing prejudiced beliefs and behaviors over time (Dovidio et al., 2010). These efforts underscore the importance of addressing the social and psychological contextual factors that foster prejudice.

In conclusion, prejudice is a complex phenomenon driven by multiple causes. The interaction between economic and political conflicts, displaced aggression, personality needs, and social norms shapes prejudiced attitudes in societies. Recognizing that prejudice is learned and socially influenced provides hope for its reduction through targeted interventions. Strategies that address inherent social conflicts, challenge discriminatory norms, and promote intergroup understanding are vital for building more inclusive and equitable societies.

References

• Allport, G. W. (1954). The nature of prejudice. Addison-Wesley.
• Aronson, E. (Year). The social animal. [Publisher].
• Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of group pressure on the modification and distortion of judgment. In H. Guetzkow (Ed.), Groups, leadership, and men; research in human relations (pp. 177-190). Carnegie Press.
• Blumer, H. (1958). Race prejudice as a sense of group position. The Pacific Sociological Review, 1(1), 3-7.
• Dovidio, J. F., Gaertner, S. L., & Saguy, T. (2010). Intergroup contact and prejudice. In D. P. P. S. T. R. S. Feinberg (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 48-98). Academic Press.
• Jost, J. T., Rudman, L. A., Blair, I. V., Carney, D., Soesten, D., & Lewine, J. (2009). Neuropsychological evidence for ideological biases. Social Justice Research, 2(2), 21-31.
• Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2006). A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(5), 751–783.
• Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.