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Prejudice in the Context of Social Psychology

Introduction

Prejudice is defined as a baseless and rather negative attitude towards some fellows of the society or group. Some of the common feelings related to stereotyping includes negative and discriminating beliefs regarding other members (Smith, 2014).

The essay has critically evaluated the Social Psychology theories and concepts related to prejudice. Specifically the racial attitudes and racial conflicts have been discussed critically. Furthermore, some of the theories related to racial attitudes have also been discussed so that the viewpoints of different theorist about the topic can be gained.

Different Approaches and Theories Related to Social Psychology and Prejudice

In the view of Delgado and Stefancic (2012), the classical theory of racism prejudice is based upon the idea that prejudice emerges from social norms. The model presented by Cantril (1941) has also suggested that formation of different groups in the process of socialization are the extreme forms of prejudice and discrimination. In the same manner, the research conducted by Lundahl and Wadensjo (2015) revealed that predictions made by group norm theory were highly significant in studying and understanding prejudice racism and stereotyping.

In contrast, one of the other early theory on prejudice studied variation using Authoritarian personality approach. The approach stated that prejudice is stemmed in an individual through strict upbringing. The strict upbringing makes a person hostile towards out-group members, and the person also strictly follows authority figures and possessed moral standards (McFarland, 2010).

As psychology started to become more focus, the idea and study of prejudice also changed, psychologist started to focus on intergroup changes and its driving forces. Thus the new developed model stated that stereotyping is developed nit due to acceptance of inner group norms, but is formed due to interaction with the outer groups (Dovidio, 2010). On the contrary, Bodenhausen, Macrae and Sherman (2016) stated that stereotyping is the result of direct and biased observations of the attitudes of other member people.

In the view of Dovidio (2010), prejudice is based upon different factors such as sex, race, age nationality, economic or social status, religion or social orientation. It is also stated that prejudice may result in stereotyping and discrimination.

In addition Bar-Tal, Graumann, Kruglanski, and Stroebe (2013) claimed that in most of the cases prejudice is based upon stereotypes. In contrast, Tilcsik (2011) stated that stereotyping can either be positive or negative. However, it can lead towards wrongful assumptions or might also result in discrimination and prejudice. For example, Bodenhausen, Macrae, and Sherman (2016) stated that the refusal from the white man to drink water from the same fountain from which a Black individual has drink is based on racial biasness towards the Black man. Since no factual information is possessed by the White man for not drinking the water, from the fountain and thus the decision is made on a preconceived idea related to Black man….