The document discusses key concepts of prejudice and stereotyping, including definitions of ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and various forms of prejudice and discrimination. It highlights the sources of prejudice such as socialization and competition, as well as social consequences and historical context. Finally, it suggests effective strategies for reducing prejudice and conflict through cooperation, equal status, and opportunities for interaction.

1. Prejudice and Stereotyping

2. Important Definitions
Ethnocentrism
Stereotypes
Prejudice and Racism
Ethnic and Other Prejudices
Allport (1954)
Discrimination
Clark & Clark, 1953; Beuf, 1977

3. Ethnocentrism
(Wade and Tavris, 1999)
The belief that one’s own cultural or
ethnic group is superior to all others
Examples:
Chinese word for China = Center of the World
Navajo term for selves = “The People”
Manifested in beliefs that 1 sex, ethnicity,
religion, school, community, country, SES, etc.
is better than another

4. Stereotypes
(Wade and Tavris 2000)
Definition: summary
impression of a
group of people in
which a person
believes that all
members of a group
share a common trait
or traits
Distortions Created
by Stereotypes
Accentuation of
group differences
Production of
selective perception
Underestimation of
within group
differences

5. Prejudice & Racism
“Prejudice and racism describe ways in
which people devalue, disadvantage,
demean, and in general, unfairly treat
others.” (In Prejudice and Racism; Jones, 1997)

6. Ethnic Prejudice
“Ethnic prejudice is an antipathy based
upon a faulty and inflexible
generalization. It may be felt or
expressed. It may be directed toward a
group as a whole or toward an individual
because he is a member of that group.”
 (In The Nature of Prejudice; Allport 1954)

7. Allport Revisited
Two important elements in his definition of
prejudice:
Prejudice is a negative attitude
Prejudice puts the object of prejudice at an unjust
disadvantage (i.e., prejudice is negative, unjust, and
a source of disadvantage for its targets)
Note: Prejudice is not just about ethnicity e.g.
sexism, homophobia, ableism, religionism,
classism, geographicism, adultism, etc.

8. Sources of Prejudice
Socialization: passed from caregivers to
children
Social Benefits: often brings support from
others who share the same prejudice that may
result in loss of support if not maintained
Economic Benefits & Justification of
Discrimination: arises when people are in
direct competition for jobs

9. Discrimination
“Discrimination consists of negative
behavior toward a person based on
negative attitudes one holds toward the
group to which the person belongs, or,
positive behavior toward a person based
on positive attributes one holds toward
the group to which that person belongs.”
(In Prejudice and Racism; Jones, 1997)

10. Social Consequences of
Prejudice and Discrimination
1944 Clark, M.
Changes in primary
mental abilities with
age
1946 The Northside
Child Development
Center in Harlem
Clark & Clark, 1953
Brown V. Board of
Education of Topeka
1977 Beuf, A. Biting
Off the Bracelet:
Red Children in
White America
Beauty is the Beast

11. Reducing Prejudice
Education, self-esteem, and
religious/spiritual conversion (prob. w/ Dutch
Reform Church & Apartheid)
Contact hypothesis (prob. w/cliques)
Law (Title IX, Affirmative Action, Prop. 187,
English Only)
Working toward a common goal

12. Effective Strategies for
Reducing Prejudice & Conflict
Both sides must cooperate for a common goal
Both sides must have equal status & standing
Both sides must believe they have the moral,
legal, and economic support of authorities
Both sides must have opportunities to work and
socialize together formally & informally
(Amir, 1994; Brewer, 1986; Kohn, 1992; Stephan & Brigham, 1985; Stephan
& Stephan, 1992)