Prejudice: Definition, Causes, and Effective Strategies for Reduction | Psychology for UPSC Optional (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

Prejudice is a pervasive social phenomenon that involves biased attitudes and judgments towards certain groups of people. It can have detrimental effects on individuals and societies, leading to discrimination and inequality. In this article, we will explore the concept of prejudice, its various causes, and effective strategies for reducing it. By understanding and addressing prejudice, we can work towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable world.

Definition of Prejudice

Prejudice, also known as pre-judgment, is an attitude characterized by biased and often negative beliefs, feelings, and behaviors towards a particular group of people. It encompasses stereotypes, discriminatory actions, and prejudgments based solely on a person's membership in a specific group. Prejudice can be both positive and negative, but it is the negative aspects that are of particular interest to social psychologists. Negative prejudice can lead to harmful behaviors and unfair treatment of targeted groups.

Causes of Prejudice

• Enhancing Self-Esteem: One cause of prejudice is the desire to boost one's own self-esteem. Individuals may hold prejudiced views as a means of feeling superior to other groups. Research suggests that when individuals' self-esteem is threatened, they are more likely to express negative attitudes towards disliked groups to regain a sense of superiority.
• Saving Effort: Prejudice can also stem from cognitive processes aimed at conserving mental effort. Once individuals form a prototype or generalization about a group, they may rely on this mental shortcut instead of engaging in careful analysis of new information. This cognitive economy leads to the perpetuation of prejudice without critical evaluation.
• Recent Forms: While racial, ethnic, and religious prejudice have shown signs of decline globally, recent forms of prejudice have emerged. Hate crimes motivated by personal anger, fear, disgust, or influenced by terrorist ideologies are increasing. Advancements in technology and modern weaponry have intensified the impact of extreme forms of prejudice, as exemplified by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001.
• Competition: Competition over limited resources such as jobs, housing, and status can contribute to the development of prejudice. As groups vie for these desirable outcomes, they may view each other increasingly negatively, leading to conflicts and the labeling of individuals as "enemies." This emotional hostility exacerbates prejudice and fosters a mentality of hatred.
• Role of Learning and Socialization Practices: Learning theories provide insights into how individuals acquire prejudice. Social learning theory suggests that people learn prejudice through observation and imitation of others who hold negative attitudes towards certain groups. Instrumental learning theory posits that individuals adopt prejudiced views when they receive rewards, love, praise, or approval for exhibiting such behavior.
• Direct Experience: Direct interaction and experiences with members of other groups can shape prejudice. If individuals perceive differences or discomfort during interactions, it can contribute to the development of negative attitudes. On the other hand, exposure to positive experiences and increased interaction can help challenge and reshape prejudiced views.
• Role of Media on Prejudice: Mass media plays a significant role in shaping and reinforcing prejudice. Media representations often depict minority groups with lower status and present issues that contribute to negative stereotypes. However, efforts have been made to portray racial and ethnic minorities in a more positive light, which can help correct biases and challenge existing prejudices.
• Social Categorization: Prejudice can arise from social categorization, which involves dividing people into in-groups (those we identify with) and out-groups (those perceived as different). This distinction is based on various factors such as race, age, occupation, religion, and more. In-group members are often viewed more favorably, while out-group members may be perceived more negatively, leading to prejudice and discrimination.
• Social Identity Theory: Social identity theory proposes that individuals seek to enhance their self-esteem by identifying with specific social groups. This identification often involves perceiving one's own group as superior to others, leading to prejudice. When individuals feel secure in their own identity, they tend to be more tolerant and accepting of other groups. However, threats to one's group identity can trigger negative reactions towards out-groups.
• Social Norms: Social norms within a group influence individual behavior and can reinforce prejudiced attitudes. People often conform to the norms of their own group, including adopting the prejudices held by others. The acceptance of prejudice as a norm within a group can perpetuate and justify discriminatory behaviors.
• Cognitive Sources of Prejudice: Prejudice is deeply rooted in cognitive processes related to how we think about others, store information about them, and make social judgments. Two cognitive sources of prejudice are stereotypes and illusory correlations. Stereotypes are generalized beliefs about a particular group, shaping prejudiced views based on preconceived notions. Illusory correlations involve overestimating negative behaviors within smaller groups, leading to biased perceptions.

Techniques to Reduce Prejudice

• On Learning Not to Hate: Prejudice is not an innate characteristic but rather learned or acquired through various life situations. Strategies for reducing prejudice include training individuals to be aware of their own biases and discouraging the transmission of prejudiced views to future generations. Promoting tolerance and highlighting the detrimental effects of prejudice can help individuals lead more fulfilling lives.
• Direct Intergroup Contact: Increasing contact between different groups is a powerful way to reduce conflict and prejudice. The contact hypothesis suggests that bringing groups together in cooperative activities or shared goals can foster positive attitudes and reduce stereotypes. By engaging in social work, recreational activities, or other forms of interaction, individuals from different backgrounds can recognize their similarities and develop empathy and understanding.
• Re-Categorization: Re-categorization involves redrawing the boundaries between "us" and "them" to reduce prejudice. This approach, known as the common in-group identity model, encourages individuals to view members of initially distinct groups as part of a shared social entity. By working together towards common goals, individuals can develop more positive attitudes and diminish unfriendly biases towards out-groups.
• Cognitive Interventions: Challenging stereotypes and promoting egalitarian norms are cognitive interventions aimed at reducing prejudice. Encouraging individuals to actively reject stereotypes and to think in terms of equality can reshape their attitudes. By breaking the habit of associating negative traits with specific groups, individuals can contribute to the reduction of prejudice. Additionally, fostering positive interactions and displaying favorable traits towards minority groups can enhance positive thinking and reduce prejudice.

Conclusion

Prejudice remains a persistent issue in society, with detrimental consequences for individuals and communities. By understanding the causes of prejudice and implementing effective strategies to reduce it, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable world. Through education, direct intergroup contact, re-categorization, and cognitive interventions, we can challenge biases, promote empathy, and work towards building a society that embraces diversity and equal treatment for all.