PREJUDICE

PREJUDICE REFERS TO AN UNFAVORABLE OPINION OR FEELING FORMED BEFOREHAND OR WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE, THOUGHT OR REASON. IT ALSO IS DEFINED AS UNREASONABLE FEELINGS, OPINIONS OR ATTITUDES, ESPECIALLY OF A HOSTILE NATURE, DIRECTED AGAINST A RACIAL, RELIGIOUS, NATIONAL OR ANY GROUP.

4 MAIN COMPONENTS OF PREJUDICE

  • Mainly negative attitudes and beliefs
  • Pre-judgements
  • Based on stereotypical assumptions
  • Based on no information, or misinformation

 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PREJUDICE

  • Hurt feelings
  • Low morale
  • Resentment
  • Lack of confidence

 WHY WE PREJUDICE

  • Lack of understanding or knowledge
  • Use as a defense mechanism
  • Own socialization or conditioning

 

WHAT TO DO ABOUT PREJUDICE

  • Acknowledge
  • Understand
  • Manage

 

Prejudice can also lead us to making assumptions about people which in turn can lead to stereotypical images of people.

 ASSUMPTIONS

To assume or "to take upon oneself," is a view formed on the basis of one's own knowledge and experience, in the absence of direct information from the person or about the situation. It can be misleading.

 MAKING ASSUMPTIONS

We tend to make our assumptions based on:

  • Perceptions
  • Feelings
  • Disposition towards others or that person
  • Shared experiences
  • Lives in the same area as self; therefore must have the same likes and dislikes

"The white light streams down to be broken up by those human prisms into all the colors of the rainbow. Take your own color in the pattern and be just that."

- Charles R. Brown

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Source: http:/www.google search.com/search=racial=stereotype