Prejudice, Stereotypes, and Discrimination - Essay Example

Prejudice, Stereotypes, and Discrimination Each one of us has probably felt being alienated or outcast at one point or another Each one of us has felt that moment when we might have been treated differently or when we felt uncomfortable because we felt different from everybody else. Discrimination due to prejudice and stereotyping is one of the many issues that we must face in a culturally and socially diverse world. Understanding these concepts and the mechanisms behind these behaviors may actually help us be a step closer to solving this social disease. Nevid and Rathus (2010) define prejudice as “a preconceived attitude toward a group or person” (p. 217). Prejudice sets in when one has negative views about another even if one doesn’t have the complete details yet about a certain individual or group of people. Prejudice is generally caused by a certain stereotype made about a person or group. A stereotype is that stored information about a particular group of people [Pas08]. People make stereotypes all the time, generalizing all females to have such characteristics, all Americans to have this attitude, or all prisoners to have a certain kind of quality. More often than not, discrimination becomes the result of certain prejudices made against particular stereotypes. Discrimination is the action made by someone due to certain prejudices [Nev10]. Because of existing cultural and social differences, people tend to classify themselves into social groups called in-groups or out-groups [Fis10]. On a personal level, I can relate to these terms because I’ve also been a victim of discrimination at a certain level. However, I am more guilty of exhibiting such negative behaviors. I once had a classmate in high school who lived in the underprivileged part of the neighborhood. He had body piercings and a tattoo on a not so discreet part of his body and so I immediately stereotyped him to be a typical gang member who would probably hurt anybody in a heartbeat. It turns out, however, that he is a pretty good guy and was even one of the better students in class. Towards the middle of the year, we finally got to be friends and I got to know him better. I soon realized that my prejudices against him were baseless and from then on, I made it a point to be more accepting and less judging of people. Psychologists view stereotypes as the cognitive source of prejudice. According to Al Haj, et al (2007), prejudice originates from different sources such as behavioral patterns that are different from the norms in society (e. g. homosexuality), races (e. g Blacks), nations (e. g. Israelis), diseases (e. g. Syphilis), ethnic groups (e. g. Gypsies), and sexes (e. g. females). These social categorizations are actually one aspect that contribute to prejudice. Another aspect would be the in-group versus out-group mentality in which people classify themselves within a particular category and are prejudiced against those who do not fall within their category. For example, Harvard graduates may have certain prejudices against those who did not go to Harvard and may thus affect their behavior towards this group of people, that is, less respect in the workplace or less welcome social attitudes. In this highly technological world, perhaps race is still the most significant origin of stereotypes that lead to prejudices. Although the more visual forms of discrimination that plagued earlier generations no longer seem to exist, subtler forms of discrimination do still permeate the social atmosphere. Gawronski, et al (2008) go further to saying that racial discrimination “has merely changed its face, and not been abandoned” (p. 648). Indeed, while certain races were discriminated against in the earlier generations by not allowing them to have the same opportunities as the “dominant race,” modern discrimination are now manifested by the negative behavior that people demonstrate as a result of their feelings that these racial minorities are getting more than what they truly deserve. Since prejudice and discrimination are still widely existent, the stigma that they produce is still being felt by those who are discriminated upon. As mentioned earlier, although physical forms of discrimination are no longer as prevalent, the discrimination on an emotional level is still felt in society. As such, discrimination affects people on a psychological level and these manifest in terms of depression, unhealthy eating habits, and even seclusion by those who feel the blows of discrimination. Because of these discriminatory treatments, we are inadvertently creating self-fulfilling prophecies in our society by boxing in certain members of our society. While discrimination is indeed prevalent, there are ways to improve our attitudes, judgments and behaviors so that we are more tolerant and accepting of people whom we view to be different from us in one way or another. The European Justice Commission website lists ways by which discriminatory behavior may be minimized. These include a more vigilant policy against discrimination in school and in the workplace, providing and implementing clear consequences when discrimination is such policies are violated; encouragement of lectures and meetings that discuss the short-term and long-term effects of discrimination; and, joining of organizations that collectively engage in the battle against discrimination [For11]. With all the negative effects of discrimination stemming from prejudice and stereotyping, perhaps the key factor is simply ignorance. We are afraid of what we do not know, and we are wary of those who do not look like us or act like the way we do. This presents a very big dilemma because the world is too diverse culturally and socially that it will be very impossible to be just like everybody else. Differences will always arise but it would be our attitudes and behaviors regarding these differences that would make a mark. Thus, I believe the most important weapon against discrimination is really just accurate and well-meaning information. Understanding the causes and mechanisms behind discriminatory behavior would go a long way in improving our attitudes and behaviors towards those who are different from us in some ways. As such, education and, perhaps, the Golden Rule of not doing unto others what you do not want done unto you are the best ways by which we can battle discrimination. References Pas08: , (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2008), Nev10: , (Nevid & Rathus, 2010), Fis10: , (Fiske, Gilbert, & Lindzey, 2010), For11: , (For diversity. Against discrimination, 2011), Read More