posted on June 9, 2004 01:56:55 AM new
Definition of terms
A stereotype is an exaggerated belief, image or distorted truth about a person or group — a generalization that allows for little or no individual differences or social variation. Stereotypes are based on images in mass media, or reputations passed on by parents, peers and other members of society. Stereotypes can be positive or negative.
A prejudice is an opinion, prejudgment or attitude about a group or its individual members. A prejudice can be positive, but in our usage refers to a negative attitude.
Prejudices are often accompanied by ignorance, fear or hatred. Prejudices are formed by a complex psychological process that begins with attachment to a close circle of acquaintances or an "in-group" such as a family. Prejudice is often aimed at "out-groups."
Discrimination is behavior that treats people unequally because of their group memberships. Discriminatory behavior, ranging from slights to hate crimes, often begins with negative stereotypes and prejudices.
How do we learn prejudice?
Social scientists believe children begin to acquire prejudices and stereotypes as toddlers. Many studies have shown that as early as age 3, children pick up terms of racial prejudice without really understanding their significance.
Soon, they begin to form attachments to their own group and develop negative attitudes about other racial or ethnic groups, or the "out-group". Early in life, most children acquire a full set of biases that can be observed in verbal slurs, ethnic jokes and acts of discrimination.
How are our biases reinforced?
Once learned, stereotypes and prejudices resist change, even when evidence fails to support them or points to the contrary.
People will embrace anecdotes that reinforce their biases, but disregard experience that contradicts them. The statement "Some of my best friends are _____" captures this tendency to allow some exceptions without changing our bias.
How do we perpetuate bias?
Bias is perpetuated by conformity with in-group attitudes and socialization by the culture at large. The fact that white culture is dominant in America may explain why people of color often do not show a strong bias favoring their own ethnic group.
Mass media routinely take advantage of stereotypes as shorthand to paint a mood, scene or character. The elderly, for example, are routinely portrayed as being frail and forgetful, while younger people are often shown as vibrant and able.
Stereotypes can also be conveyed by omission in popular culture, as when TV shows present an all-white world. Psychologists theorize bias conveyed by the media helps to explain why children can adopt hidden prejudices even when their family environments explicitly oppose them.
posted on June 9, 2004 06:04:37 AM new
She Who Must Be Obeyed once remarked about me
"He's not prejudiced, he doesn't like anybody"
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When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism. - Edward Abbey
posted on June 9, 2004 11:07:39 AM new
But at least once we realize our biases, we can change our way of thinking. All that stuff is baggage that weighs us down emotionally. Who wants that? Thanks for the articles Yeager & Helen.
posted on June 9, 2004 01:10:32 PM new
nah....:
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When a dog howls at the moon, we call it religion. When he barks at strangers, we call it patriotism. - Edward Abbey
posted on June 9, 2004 01:34:09 PM new
Excellent post. I have been accused of being prejudiced, I am not, even though prejudice is not necessarily a bad thing. I am a bigot. And, yes, I have refined my bigotry to make sure I can justify MY opinions.
BIGOT (from http://www.m-w.com/)
Etymology: Middle French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.
It is very upsetting to discover I share a mindset that identifies many of the liberals posting here.
Thanks for posting those two links. There is a lot of good reading there. Any person could learn something from these pages.
Keep up the good work!
True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind.
posted on June 9, 2004 09:38:17 PM new
New Sig file: True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind
Great definitions: It seems like everyone here can relate to most of them (definations). Just read almost all of the threads they have bigotry, intolerance in them so I guess we have cancers of the mind.
I sure hope you had a reason for posting these as they should include everyone here not just a selected few.....
Anyone that posts here posts to what they believe in and if contains any of those definitions so be it. It's call free speech.
posted on June 10, 2004 07:49:59 AM new
Addressing Youthful Hate Crime is an Imperative
33% of all known hate crime offenders are under 18
31% of all violent crime offenders and 46% of the property offenders are under 18.
29% of all hate crime offenders are 18-24.
30% of all victims of bias-motivated aggravated assaults and 34% of the victims of simple assault are under 18.
An alarming and disproportionately high percentage of both the victims of hate violence and the perpetrators are young people under 18 years of age.
We must stop and think where the children are learning their hateful ways - Children learn their beliefs for their parents.
Re-defeat Bush
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June is Gay Pride Month
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Change is constant. The history of mankind is about change. One set of beliefs is pushed aside by a new set. The old order is swept away by the new. If people become attached to the old order, they see their best interest in defending it. They become the losers. They become the old order and in turn are vulnerable. People who belong to the new order are winners.
James A Belaco & Ralph C. Stayer
