Social Psychology - Social Prejudice

Question:

What are the four basic causes of prejudice and give an example of each with your personal experiences or local context. Are there any solution to solve prejudice? Is it they only way? Is/Are the solution(s) usable in any of the above contexts?

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Answer:

The four basic causes of prejudice are:

1. Economic and Political Competition: exploiting a minority group to gain a material advantage.

Local example may include when employers do not pay their domestic helpers, especially Indonesians the proper legal minimum wage, knowing that the Indonesians are not as "organized or formalized" than the Filipina's. The less money for the helper, more money for the employer.

2. Displaced Aggression: The Scapegoat Theory: blaming a relatively powerless innocent person for something that is not his or her fault.

A local example could be pollution, to a lesser extent. The government of HK will often point the finger towards China for our polluted skies, which China does contribute immensely, however, pointing the finger seems to deflect attention. While HK does do some things regarding pollution it could perhaps do more.

3. The Maintenance of Status or Self-image: when we convince ourselves that a group is unworthy subhuman, stupid or immoral it helps us to keep from feeling immoral is we enslave members of that group, or deprive them.

A local example could be the employer-helper relationship. Some employers don't give helpers proper sleeping space, days off or extended work hours. For many of us we can feel justified in how we can treat a domestic helper. For example, long work hours, because in HK we work long hours therefore we expect helpers to work long hours too.

4. Dispositional Prejudice: a person may be more rigid in their beliefs; tend to possess conventional values; intolerant of weakness in themselves and others; highly punitive; suspicious; respectful of authority to an unusual degree. This is an authoritarian personality.

A personal example is engaging with people who have highly traditional conservative Christian views, and when someone makes a mistake they often have a difficult time extending grace to others. Many times these are people hold very strict laws of the faith, but if they make a mistake, it is difficult for them to 'recover.'

How to solve prejudice?
Interestingly, prejudice is learned. There is a sad part of that, but also a positive transforming part in that. We can create a new generation of global citizens, with fewer prejudices and stereotypes. We can also re-create a similar spirit in the older generation, but it will take more work.

By allowing people to be people, and seeing the humanness in each person is so important. I am a strong proponent of the healing power and influence of "empathy." When we can 'put ourselves in someone else's shoes' it really can enable us to find the humanness in one another. This will help us to be more welcoming and accepting of others.

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Another Answer:
Interesting idea in new generation of global citizen! Perhaps the scientist already discover the gene of that.

I agree empathy is effective to "heal" prejudice. My mum used to have negative impression of people from Mainland China and has perceived them as rude, greedy and stupid. Months ago I introduced a colleague to my mum who is from Beijing. My mum’s attitude became to change when she started to know my colleague’s story. To understand the feeling of others is good way to solve prejudice. Ways to solve prejudice. Personality predisposed is hard to change. I look forward for solution of external causes of prejudice. I do believe source of causing prejudice is counted on conflict between parties causing by unequal distribution of resources. When everybody is content and comfort with their living conditions, the cue to provoke displaced aggression will be eliminated. Hence, in a broad perspective, reducing economic and political conflict is a way to solve prejudice. In social context, open up public resource and impose ambiance of equity and equality will at least solve some social conflict.

It is interesting that I have tried jigsaw technique in my class. But the effectiveness depends on ability among group members. If there is big gap among participants, it will increase hostility and distrust because they will pick the least competent one and blame on him/her. If not, mutual support particularity in finishing tasks could encourage morale and reduce prejudice.


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Another Answer:

Economic conflict: Denying membership to the Clinical Psychology Division of the Hong Kong Psychology Association, thereby securing a limited pool of “registered” clinical psychologists in Hong Kong to protect their high-pay incomes.


Displaced aggression: 2008 US housing market meltdown, a lot of people lost their homes. Most of them blame it on wall street who lures them into mortgage that they cannot afford. Assuming at least some of these people are aware that their incomes cannot afford the mortgages, why do they still enter into the deal? Some of these people who made a well-informed decision to enter in to a bet, as the bets turn south, wall street becomes the scapegoat. During that time, there were many instances of aggression towards employees who work for investment banks, regardless of their positions. These aggressive behaviors ranged from verbal abuse to physical attacks.


Personality needs: There are always strong voices in most residential communities in Hong Kong against the establishment of Mental Health Rehabilitation Centers in or near their neighborhood due to their prejudice against mental health recovery patients. Recently an unfortunate incident happened when a mentally ill patient killed residents who lived nearby. The residents are quick to jump to the conclusion that all mentally ill patients are dangerous and thus urged the center to move.


Conformity to existing social norms: I hear a lot more derogatory labeling of mainland Chinese by Hong Kong people than I hear derogatory labeling of African-American in New York. Conformity to existing social norms plays a big role to the difference. It was a more heinous offense, if not a crime, to verbally discriminate against minority in New York. But in Hong Kong it is all too common, unapologetically, to public detest mainland Chinese.

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Another Answer:
The four basic causes of prejudice are as follows:

1. Economic and Political Competition

The above answers cited very good examples. It is also a true picture in China. In spite of the strict labor law imposed in China in 2008, the workers still experience no much improvement in salaries and benefits. Employers are still dominant groups to exploit workers.


2. Displaced Aggression, The Scapegoat Theory

In the time of economical recession, newly immigrants with low socio-economical status are aggressed and blamed for high unemployment rate. Local citizens will try to expel them out of the countries.


3. The Maintenance of Status or Self-image

Even against the opinion of general public, pro-government party in HK maintains their image and derogates the democratic parties which are minority in the legislative council. They claim that their solutions are more workable.

4. The Prejudice Personality

My friend got this personality. He are rigid in beliefs that only the best survive. He always points an accusing finger to weakness with no contribution to the society. On the contrary, he respects those in the high-ups. Though he has not completed any test, he might have this tendency to authoritarianism.

How to solve Prejudice?

Although deeply rooted prejudicial attitudes are not easily altered, I do agree what Michelle proposes. As long as more people step out, the world would be united to solve prejudice.