Prejudice and its Impact

Defining Prejudice

• Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or judgment about an individual or group, often based on characteristics like race, gender, or religion.
• Examples include racial stereotypes, gender discrimination, and homophobic attitudes.

Components of Prejudice

• Affective component: Emotional responses towards a group or individual.
• Cognitive component: Beliefs and thoughts about a group, such as stereotypes.
• Behavioral component: Actions or tendencies to act in certain ways towards others.

Modern Racism vs. Explicit Racism

• Modern racism refers to subtle, often unconscious, beliefs about racial superiority; it differs from explicit racism, which involves overt and clear expressions of racist beliefs.
• Modern racism can manifest through aversion and avoidance rather than outright hostility.

Implicit Measures of Prejudice

• Implicit measures assess hidden attitudes or beliefs outside of conscious awareness.
• Examples include the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which evaluates automatic associations between concepts.

Behavioral Measures of Prejudice

• Observational studies, where behaviors towards different groups are monitored.
• Implicit behavioral indicators, such as delay in responding to certain groups.

Subtle Measures in Questionnaires

• Subtle measures help avoid social desirability bias, allowing for more honest responses about prejudices.
• These tools are designed to uncover underlying beliefs that individuals may not openly admit.

In-Group Bias

• In-group bias is the tendency to favor one’s own group over others, often leading to preferential treatment.
• It occurs due to factors like social identity, group cohesion, and competition for resources.

Contributing Factors to Prejudice

• Socialization: Cultural norms and values can shape prejudiced attitudes.
• Economic competition: Perceived threats to jobs or resources can heighten prejudice.
• Group dynamics: Need for belonging can strengthen in-group favoritism.

Affective Component Example

• Feelings of fear or anxiety towards a specific ethnic group represent the affective component of prejudice.

Stereotype Definition

• Stereotypes are generalized beliefs or assumptions about a group based on attributes.
• Example: The stereotype that women are less competent in math or science.

Discrimination and its Relation to Prejudice

• Discrimination involves unjust treatment of individuals based on their group membership.
• It often stems from prejudiced beliefs.

Example of Anti-Asian Prejudice

• Increased scapegoating of Asian communities during the COVID-19 pandemic due to misconceptions about the virus’s origins.

Implicit Attitudes Test (IAT)

• IAT is a method for gauging implicit attitudes by measuring reaction times in associating different concepts.
• It helps reveal hidden biases that individuals may not consciously acknowledge.

Rise of Anti-Muslim Hate Groups

• Reports indicate a significant surge in organizations promoting anti-Muslim sentiments, reflecting broader trends of intolerance.

Prejudice as a Universal Target

• Yes, anyone can be a target of prejudice, regardless of their identity or background.

Purpose of Questionnaire Tools

• These tools aim to identify hidden prejudices by offering a non-threatening way for respondents to express attitudes indirectly.

Intervention Strategies for Reducing Prejudice

• Strategies include promoting intergroup contact, education, and awareness programs aimed at challenging stereotypes.

Recap of Prejudice Components

• The three components of prejudice include affective, cognitive, and behavioral, which interact to shape prejudiced attitudes.

Summary of Key Areas in Chapter 12

• Focus on sections covering theories of prejudice, measurement techniques, and case studies for deeper understanding.

Example of Stereotype

• The stereotype that all teenagers are rebellious overlooks individual differences.

Discrimination Explained

• Discrimination is the practical application of prejudice, leading to exclusion or unfair treatment of certain groups.