Dimensions of Diversity Diversity and Social Discrimination (Petersen/Six 2008)

A Definition Within social psychology the negative treatment of people is defined as being social discrimination when two criterion are fulfilled: The negative treatment of the person concerned must be perceived as being illegitimate. The negative treatment must be due to the person‘s specific group membership.

How does social discrimination occur? Experiencing social discrimination is part and parcel of daily life for lower status or stigmatised groups in our society. It frequently affects people with migrant backgrounds and those with disabilities. They experience discrimination in various forms and in various areas of life. For example, on the basis of their education they are increasingly confronted with barriers to accessing living space, apprenticeships and higher income brackets. Members of stigmatised groups are in addition discriminated against at a personal level through verbal abuse, rejection or physical attack. At the workplace people who belong to various diverse groups are often the victims of bullying by colleagues.

Consequences those affected Increased danger of suffering mental or physical ill health (depression, heart disease, strokes) Unfavourable progression of medical conditions … frequently due to poorer living conditions and more limited access to medical care Fear of rejection and resulting behavioural reactions Exhaustion of a person‘s own self-regulatory capacity Difficulties in performing well at school or at work as well as in general life situations