Prejudice and

Stereotypes

Prejudice

• A rigid and unfair generalization about an entire category of people

• Prejudices are prejudgments that can be either positive or negative

Positive Prejudices

• Exaggerate the virtues of people

like ourselves

Negative Prejudices

• Can be expressed as

anything from mild dislike to outright hostility• These attitudes are rooted in culture,

everyone has some prejudice

Stereotype

• A simplified description applied to every person in some category.

• Both majorities and minorities have certain stereotypes

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

Racism

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

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

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…