Prejudice and Stereotypes

A rigid and unfair generalization about an entire category of people Prejudices are prejudgments that can be either positive or negative Prejudice

Positive Prejudices Negative Prejudices Exaggerate the virtues of people like ourselves Can be expressed as anything from mild dislike to outright hostility These attitudes are rooted in culture, everyone has some prejudice

A simplified description applied to every person in some category. Both majorities and minorities have certain stereotypes Stereotype

Do you see stereotypes in common phrases? “French kiss” “Dutch treat” “Indian giver” “Being “gypped”

Measuring Social Distance Emory Bogardus (1925) developed a scale to measure social distance: how willing people are to interact with members of some category https://www.brocku.ca/MeadProject/ Bogardus/Bogardus_1925c.html

The belief that one racial category is innately superior or inferior to another Racism

Theories of Prejudice Scapegoat Theory Prejudice springs from frustration among people who are themselves disadvantaged

Theories of Prejudice Authoritarian Personality Theory- Authoritarian personalities conform to traditional values and morals Authoritarians believe society is naturally competitive and there are better people like themselves

Theories of Prejudice Culture Theory- Some prejudice is found in everyone because prejudice is part of the culture we live in All races and ethnicities have prejudices and many minorities have similar prejudices of each other as whites do

Theories of Prejudice Conflict Theory #1- Prejudice is used as a tool for powerful people to oppress others Conflict Theory #2- Minorities encourage race consciousness and claim they are victims entitled to certain privileges based on their race

Discrimination Unequal treatment of various categories of people Prejudice  Attitudes Discrimination  Actions Institutional Prejudice and Discrimination- bias built into the operation of society’s institutions (schools, hospitals, police, workplace)

The history of race and ethnicity in the U.S…