Lecture Notes: Understanding Racism and Prejudice

Introduction

• Racism is a highly debated topic in American society.
• Sociology can help us understand racism, although it can't eliminate it.

Definitions

Prejudice

• A rigid and unfair generalization about an entire category of people.
• Often involves stereotypes: exaggerated and simplified descriptions applied to every group member.
• Example: Stereotypes about people on welfare.

Racism

• Involves beliefs, thoughts, and actions suggesting one race is innately superior to another.
• Can be explicit (conscious) or implicit (unconscious).
• Example Study: 2007 study by Joshua Correll on implicit bias.

Discrimination

• Unequal treatment of different groups of people.
• Can occur through actions like racial slurs.

Institutional Racism

• Biases built into societal institutions.
• Highlighted by Stokely Carmichael and Charles Hamilton in the 1960s.
• Harder to identify, often less condemned.
• Example: Racial disparities in housing, healthcare, education.

Cycle of Prejudice and Discrimination

• Prejudice can consolidate economic/social power, leading to discrimination.
• Discrimination forces minority groups into lower societal positions.
• This reinforces the original prejudice.

Theories of Prejudice

Scapegoat Theory

• Prejudice as a defense mechanism, blaming disadvantaged groups for societal issues.
• Triggered by economic anxiety.

Authoritarian Personality Theory

• Prejudice from an authoritarian personality.
• Desire for order and strong leadership.

Culture Theory

• Prejudice as a part of cultural osmosis.
• Example: Euro-caucasian perspectives in textbooks.

Social Distance Theory

• Developed by Emory Bogardus.
• Measures willingness to interact with different racial/ethnic groups.

Conflict Theory

• Prejudice maintains the power of the majority.
• Example: Used to justify slavery.

Patterns of Racial Interaction

Pluralism

• Distinct races/ethnicities have equal social standing.
• Not fully achieved in the U.S.

Assimilation

• Minorities adopt dominant cultural patterns.
• Easier for some groups than others.

Segregation

• Physical/social separation of people.
• De Jure vs. De Facto segregation.
• Example: Racial stratification in schools.

Genocide

• Systematic killing motivated by racism.
• Historical examples: Holocaust, Rwandan Genocide.

Conclusion

• Discussed definitions, theories, and patterns of racial interaction.
• Understanding context of race on a societal scale.

Additional Notes

• Crash Course Sociology support and filming details.
• Encourage support via Patreon.