Overview
This lecture explores the concepts of prejudice, stereotypes, racism, and discrimination, explains theories behind prejudice, and describes various patterns of racial interaction in society.
Key Concepts: Prejudice, Stereotypes, Racism, and Discrimination
- Prejudice is an unfair generalization about an entire category of people, often based on little or no evidence.
- Stereotypes are oversimplified, exaggerated descriptions applied to every person in a category.
- Racism is the belief or action based on the idea that one race is innately superior to another.
- Racism can be explicit (conscious) or implicit (unconscious) in attitudes and behaviors.
- Discrimination is unequal treatment of different groups of people, translating beliefs into action.
- Institutional racism refers to biases embedded in the operations of societal institutions like schools, banks, and the workforce.
Theories Explaining Prejudice
- Scapegoat Theory: Prejudice arises as a defense mechanism by blaming disadvantaged groups for societal problems.
- Authoritarian Personality Theory: Certain personality types, desiring order and hierarchy, are more prone to racial prejudice.
- Culture Theory: Prejudice exists in everyone to some degree due to cultural influences and societal norms.
- Social Distance Theory: Prejudice increases with greater social or perceived distance between groups.
- Conflict Theory: Prejudice is rooted in power struggles and social inequality to maintain dominance of one group.
Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Interaction
- Pluralism: All races and ethnicities are distinct but have equal social standing.
- Assimilation: Minorities gradually adopt the culture of the dominant group to minimize discrimination.
- Segregation: Physical and social separation of groups, which can be legalized (de jure) or based on norms (de facto).
- Genocide: Systematic killing of one group by another, often motivated by racism.
The Vicious Cycle of Prejudice and Discrimination
- Prejudice leads to discrimination at both individual and institutional levels.
- Discrimination entrenches social disadvantages for minority groups.
- These disadvantages reinforce original prejudices, perpetuating a cycle.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Prejudice — Rigid, unfair generalization about an entire group.
- Stereotype — Oversimplified and exaggerated description of a category of people.
- Racism — Beliefs or actions asserting one race's superiority.
- Discrimination — Unequal treatment of people based on group membership.
- Institutional Racism — Biases built into social systems and institutions.
- Explicit Bias — Conscious attitudes toward a group.
- Implicit Bias — Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes affecting understanding, actions, or decisions.
- De Jure Segregation — Legalized separation of groups.
- De Facto Segregation — Separation that occurs due to tradition or social norms.
- Genocide — Systematic, intentional destruction of a group.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the definitions and theories discussed in this lecture.
- Reflect on examples of institutional racism and patterns of racial interaction in your community.
- Prepare for questions on theories of prejudice and forms of group interaction for the next class.