PSY-201-20
November 10, 2017
Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice is an unjustified attitude towards someone based of their social group. (McLeod, 2008). In society different social groups are commonly formed and social identity theory explains why this occurs. The two groups in which all members can be associated with are the in-groups (“us”) out-groups (“them”). The in-group and out-group terms relate to how people identify with groups and vice versa. Most of the times being part of a different group means your beliefs and morals are different from other social groups. Of course, this all leads to prejudice treatment towards people weather its race, age, or sex. Discrimination is unjust treatment that is seen society every …show more content…
During the exercise Elliot said, “I’m sorry, I have to save my sympathy and my empathy for those who go through something much worse than this every day of their lives”. (Elliot) The explanation for the feelings of prejudice and discrimination toward the out-group can be known as the realistic conflict theory. For example, a common situation is where jobs are being taking over by immigrants and the in-group is blaming them for not being able to make money and feed their children. Once hostility has risen it’s harder to retain relations and an ongoing issue can arise. Another theory is the social identity theory, is a person’s sense of who they are based on their social group. In terms of prejudice, this theory can increase self-image by discriminating and showing a negative attitude towards the out-group. These theories can support how prejudice is a learned phenomenon through social …show more content…
(2016). The Struggle for the Nature of 'Prejudice': 'Prejudice' Expression as Identity Performance. Political Psychology, 37(1), 17-35.
Dienstbier, R. A. (1970). Positive and negative prejudice: Interactions of prejudice with race and social desirability. Journal Of Personality, 38(2), 198-215.
McLeod, S. (1970, January 01). Saul McLeod. Retrieved November 14, 2017, from https://simplypsychology.org/prejudice.html
Bourguignon, D., Seron, E., Yzerbyt, V., & Herman, G. (2006). Perceived group and personal discrimination: differential effects on personal self-esteem. European Journal Of Social Psychology, 36(5), 773-789.
(2015, August 12). Retrieved November 14, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPZEJHJPwIw&t=2033s