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Prejudice and Discrimination

Understanding Social Exclusion

Why this matters

Prejudice and discrimination are socially significant topics that explain how negatively perceived attitudes and unfair treatment towards individuals based on group membership arise. These processes underpin many social issues such as racism, sexism, and other forms of social exclusion.

Core Definitions

Understanding the interconnected triad of beliefs, feelings, and actions towards out-groups.

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Prejudice

Prejudice is a generalized and negative attitude or feeling toward a particular group based solely on membership in that group. It is an affective (emotional) response that may be irrational or biased.
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Discrimination

Discrimination is the behavioural aspect, where negative actions or unequal treatment are directed at members of a group because of prejudice.
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Stereotypes

Stereotypes are cognitive beliefs or generalizations about characteristics of a group, which may be positive or negative, but when negative or overly simplistic, contribute to prejudice.

Theories of Origin

Several psychological theories explain how prejudice develops and is maintained within societies.

1

Social Identity Theory (SIT)

In-group favouritism can lead to negative attitudes toward out-groups, as groups compete for status and positive identity.
2

Realistic Conflict Theory

Prejudice arises from competition between groups for scarce resources (jobs, territory).
3

Authoritarian Personality Theory

Suggests that some personality types with strict obedience to authority and conventionalism are more prone to prejudice.
4

Social Learning Theory

Prejudice is learned through the observation of role models, media representations, and cultural norms.
5

Cognitive Approaches

Focus on categorization processes. In-group/out-group categorization promotes "us vs. them" thinking.

Stereotype Impact: The Prophecy

Stereotypes simplify complex social worlds by assigning traits to groups, but they can be inaccurate and unfair.

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Wait, why are even positive stereotypes, like “Asians are good at math,” considered harmful?
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They can be limiting! Also, negative stereotypes create self-fulfilling prophecies—where expectations influence actions that make the stereotype come true.
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How does that affect performance?
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Members may experience stereotype threat, lowering their performance due to anxiety about confirming negative stereotypes.

Overt vs. Covert Discrimination

Prejudice underpins systemic discrimination, resulting in social inequality and marginalization.

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Overt DiscriminationDirect, open discrimination, such as refusing to serve someone because of race.
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Covert DiscriminationIndirect or subtle discrimination, such as ignoring someone’s contributions because of gender.

Reducing Bias: The Contact Hypothesis

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Contact Hypothesis (Allport, 1954): Suggests that under the right conditions, intergroup contact can reduce prejudice. Optimal conditions include equal status between groups, cooperative interaction, common goals, and support by authorities.

Key Research Evidence

Empirical studies that demonstrate the mechanisms of conflict, bias formation, and stereotype threat.

I

The Robbers Cave Experiment

Demonstrated realistic conflict theory. Two groups of boys developed hostility through competition but reconciled when given superordinate goals requiring cooperation.
II

Jane Elliott Study

Showed how quickly discrimination attitudes can be formed through minimal group divides and arbitrary distinctions.
III

Stereotype Threat Studies

Show how awareness of negative stereotypes can impair performance, illustrating subtle prejudice mechanisms.

Key Terminology Review

A reminder of essential vocabulary for intergroup relations.

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In-group bias

Favoring one’s own group over others.
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Out-group

A group one does not belong to.
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Contact hypothesis

Reducing prejudice through positive intergroup contact.
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Prejudice and Discrimination Deck
Term
Prejudice

What is prejudice?

Answer
Definition

A generalized negative attitude or feeling toward a group based on group membership.

Term
Discrimination

Define discrimination.

Answer
Definition

The behavioral aspect involving negative actions or unequal treatment toward a group due to prejudice.

Term
Stereotypes

What are stereotypes?

Answer
Definition

Cognitive generalizations about a group's traits, which can be positive or negative.

Term
Social Identity Theory

What does Social Identity Theory explain about prejudice?

Answer
Explanation

In-group favoritism leads to negative attitudes toward out-groups to maintain positive self-esteem.

Term
Realistic Conflict Theory

What triggers prejudice according to Realistic Conflict Theory?

Answer
Explanation

Competition between groups over scarce resources.

Term
Authoritarian Personality Theory

How does Authoritarian Personality Theory relate to prejudice?

Answer
Explanation

Certain personalities, shaped by strict upbringing, are more prone to prejudice.

Term
Social Learning Theory

What role does Social Learning Theory play in prejudice development?

Answer
Explanation

Prejudice is learned by observing role models, media, and cultural norms.

Term
Stereotype Threat

What is stereotype threat?

Answer
Definition

Anxiety resulting from awareness of negative stereotypes, which impairs performance.

Term
Contact Hypothesis

What conditions reduce prejudice according to the Contact Hypothesis?

Answer
Explanation

Equal group status, cooperative goals, common objectives, and authority support.

Term
Overt Discrimination

Give an example of overt discrimination.

Answer
Example

Refusing service based on race.

Term
Robbers Cave Experiment

Name a key experiment supporting Realistic Conflict Theory.

Answer
Experiment

The Robbers Cave experiment by Muzafer Sherif.

Term
Recategorization

What does recategorization involve?

Answer
Definition

Seeing out-group members as part of a larger common group to reduce bias.

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🌸 Prejudice and Discrimination Quiz

1. What is the main difference between prejudice and discrimination?

Prejudice refers to negative feelings or attitudes, whereas discrimination is the acting out of those prejudices.

2. According to Social Identity Theory, prejudice arises because:

SIT posits that people enhance their self-esteem through in-group favoritism, leading to out-group bias.

3. Which psychological theory suggests prejudice is learned from observing others?

Prejudice is acquired through modeling behaviors and attitudes seen in role models and media.

4. Which of these is NOT an example of covert discrimination?

This is overt discrimination, as it is direct and clear.

5. The Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated:

The study showed how competition creates conflict, and cooperation reduces it.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • GCSE
  • Psychological Approaches
  • AQA