Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Understanding Prejudice And Its Causes Understanding Human Differences Multicultural Education for a Diverse America 3rd Edition By Kent L. Koppelman Chapter 2 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a networkAny public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any imagesPreparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images Any rental, lease, or lending of the programAny rental, lease, or lending of the program

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Defining Terms Related to Human Differences Prejudice: A negative attitude toward a group and persons perceived to be members of that group; being predisposed to behave negatively toward members of the group

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc How widespread is PREJUDICE Conceptions & Misconceptions of PREJUDICE

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc PREJUDICE is a Global Phenomenon People of all nations have prejudicial BELIEFS about others and often ACT on them

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc American Media Often EXCLUDES Often EXCLUDES minority groups Or INCLUDES minority groups INCLUDES minority groups presented in a STEREOTYPICAL way Can you think of some examples?

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Source: John Branch, San Antonio Express-News

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc MUSLIMS are often portrayed as terrorists and fanatics Poll: 25% of Americans have a negative attitude toward Muslims 25% of Americans have a negative attitude toward Muslims 50% support restricting the civil liberties of Muslim Americans 50% support restricting the civil liberties of Muslim Americans

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc What examples of PREJUDICE exist in our LANGUAGE NEGATIVE associations with the color black Black Magic POSITIVE associations with the color white CleanlinessPurity

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc “I Jewed the price down” reflects a history of stereotyping Jews “Retard” or “Faggot” used as playground insults

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc What examples of GENDER PREJUDICE exist in our LANGUAGE Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Historic Use of “MAN” emphasizes the importance of men Feminists have successfully lobbied to promote the use of more inclusive terms: Mail Carrier/Mailman Fire Fighter/Fireman Police Officer/Policeman

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Is PREJUDICE the main cause of DISCRIMINATION in society Consequences & Causes of PREJUDICE

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Some studies document a significant reduction of prejudice in the U.S. Other studies report little reduction in discrimination Scholars developed NEW THEORIES

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc How does the INTEREST THEORY explain DISCRIMINATION People may engage in NEGATIVE ACTIONS against others to serve their own interests but NOT BE PREJUDICED against the group

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Some white homeowners fear that their property values may go down if families of color move into the neighborhood How might this lead to DISCRIMINATION?

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc How is self-interest involved in the INTERNAL COLONIALISM THEORY Individuals with accumulated wealth and power may take NEGATIVE ACTIONS that disadvantage others to maintain their power and privilege

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc How is DISCRIMINATION explained by the INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION THEORY

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION THEORY focuses on policies and practices in INSTITUTIONS that may not have been intended to have an adverse effect on a particular group Men socializing after work Women going home after work How might this result in DISCRIMINATION?

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc What factors promote the development of PREJUDICE

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc FrustrationScapegoating UncertaintyStereotyping Threat to self-esteem Feeling Superior Competition for status, wealth, and power See competitors as enemy

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc Prejudice against Muslims Uncertainty - Terrorist stereotype Frustration - 50% of Americans say Muslims are more likely to promote violence than other faiths Threat to Self-Esteem - 59% of Muslims have college degrees Competition - Salary Comparison $50,000 = Average U.S. annual income $60,000 = Average Muslim-American income

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc How are PREJUDICES perpetuated

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc RATIONALIZATIONS perpetuate PREJUDICES:  DENIAL  VICTIM-BLAMING  AVOIDANCE

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc DENIAL Denying the existence or significance of prejudice or discrimination Women aren’t discriminated against… Men are just naturally better at certain things.

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc VICTIM-BLAMING Identifying individual deficiencies as the cause of individual problems rather than discrimination against a group If Blacks weren’t so sensitive… we wouldn’t have so many racial problems.

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc AVOIDANCE Acknowledging the existence of prejudice and discrimination against groups but refusing to address the root causes of their problems By offering false or partial solutions: If we refuse to acknowledge race we could end racism (False) We could reduce sexism dramatically if we taught about women’s contributions to the U. S. (Partial)

Understanding Human Differences 3rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc AVOIDANCE “I know that some people are discriminated against… But lets look at the bright side – things are getting better.” By making statements that distract from the main issue (red herring arguments):