Learning Outcomes Discuss the meaning of Prejudice Discuss the meaning of discrimination Discuss the link between prejudice & attitude Examples of prejudice & discrimination Sexism as prejudice & discrimination Attribution & sexism Discuss the social & psychological function of prejudice
What is prejudice? The word prejudice comes from Latin prae & judicium which means prejudgement. Prejudice is an unfavourable attitude towards a social group and its members, (Hogg & Vaughan 2008 p350)
What is discrimination? Discrimination denotes unjustifiable negative behaviour toward a person or group, (Myers 2002, p330). Thus discrimination is negative behaviour while prejudice is negative attitude toward a person or group
Prejudice & discrimination Derogatory Humor Negative Stereotypes Abnormalization Patronising Tokenism Sexism
Lumber Jack & Lumber Jill?? Sexism as Prejudice Men & women have different type drinking glasses & measures Lumber Jack & Lumber Jill??
Sexism & discrimination Nijole Benokraitis, & Joe Feagin, (1995) suggest three forms of sex discrimination: Covert – hidden negative treatment Blatant – obvious & intentional Subtle – customary /etiquette
Sexist Attribution: Hogg & Vaughan 2008 Successful Performance Ability or High level effort Luck or easy task More deserving of reward or recognition Less deserving Of reward or Male Female
Institutional discrimination Education: Girls & boys schools funded on the basis that such segregation improves achievement Employment: Tokenism (may be employment on the basis of gender, ethnicity or disability) Career Progression: Glass ceiling effect Criminal Justice: Can be influenced by stereotypes that result in different outcomes for members of difference groups (e.g. gender, ethnicity or religious convictions).
Psychological Functions of prejudice Categorisation Mastery or assumed knowledge of out-groups Emotional expression Expression of beliefs, values & attitudes Identity Self esteem
Summary Prejudice comes from Latin (prae & judicium) Prejudice is expressed is many different forms which include patronising and tokenism. Prejudice may be a reflection of inequalities Prejudice is a form of downward social comparison which makes the evaluator feel good for a while Prejudice maintains the imbalance of social status thus favouring the ingroup