Ethnicity and Identity, Chapter 2 Prejudice

1)    �Theories on prejudice

a.    Scapegoating

 

--Prejudice people believe they are society�s victims.

--Scapegoat comes from the Bible, telling Hebrews to send a goat into the wilderness to symbolically carry away the peoples� sins

--Rather than accepting guilt for some failure, a person transfers the responsibility for failure to some vulnerable group.

-- does not explain all facets of prejudice

�������������� b.�� Authoritarian Personality

�������������������� --basic characteristics of an authoritarian personality are 1.adherence to conventional values, 2.uncritical acceptance of authority, and concern for power and toughness.

�������������������� -- expresses intolerance and aggressiveness toward people who do not conform to conventional norms or who does not match the picture he/she has

������������������� -- this personality type developed in childhood from harsh and extreme parenting, the child obeys and then treats others as he/she has been raised.

������������� c.� Exploitation Theory

������������������ -- racial prejudice is often used to justify keeping a group in a subordinate position, such as a lower class.

����������������� -- says that racial and ethnic hostility is a way for the dominant group to keep its position, status, and power intact

����������������� -- many persuasive examples ranging from Japanese Americans, Chinese, African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans

������������ d. Normative Approach��

��������������� --says that prejudice is influenced by societal norms and situations that encourage or discourage tolerance of minorities

�������������� -- societies develop social norms that dicatate not only what foods are desirable (Starbucks) but also what racial and ethnic groups are to be favored.� Social forces then operate in a society to encourage or discourage tolerance.

 

II. Stereotypes�definition is static or oversimplified ideas about a group or category of people, unreliable generalizations about members of that group that do not take into account individual differences.

--People have become less willing to express their views openly but the prejudice that feeds stereotyping continues to persist

--While stereotypes are exaggerated generalizations, they are usually ideas that have a kernel of truth and come from real life conditions

--Labels take on such strong significance that people often ignore the facts that contradicts their previously held beliefs

-- the labeling of individuals through negative stereotypes has a strong connection to the self fulfilling prophecy idea we have previously discussed.

-- stereotypes are utilized and prevalent BOTH IN THE DOMINANT AND SUBORDINATE GROUPS.

 

III. Racial Profling--� p. 63 and 64

 

IV.� Mood of the Oppressed�p. 66

 

V. Intergroup Hostility�p. 69

 

VI. Social Distance Scale�social distance is the tendency to approach or withdraw from a racial group.

n    Bogardus scale asks people how willing they would be to interact with various racial and ethnic groups in specified social situations.

n    People are asked whether they would be a. willing to work alongside, b. be a neighbor, c. be related to marriage

n    All races and ethnic groups tend to keep their social distance (be willing to work alongside)

n    Most still do not want to be related to another race or ethnicity through marriage

n    Our social distance practices in the U.S. do not engender or contribute to improved relationships among the races and ethnicities.

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��� Hebrew