Origin of prejudice and how it can be reduced

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Psychology

Document 1

In most parts of the world, prejudice of one group against another has existed at all periods of history. Although prejudice has not been universal, but it has also been the cause of conflicts between nations and groups within a nation and many cultures across the world does not necessarily display it. The origin of prejudice, according to researches of social psychology, is from discrimination of other people without having proven that they have done wrong. The latter has been the cause of misunderstandings between human being and contributed to unhappiness whenever it arises. Some people use prejudice to gain political and economic power by treating other people as subjects and inferior (Oskam at al,29) Prejudice was first seen in the employment discrimination in Britain in the mid -1960s.

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It was also evident in the television program that the research technique was to differentiate three interviewers alleged to be genuine applicants in search of housing, jobs and other services. The interviewers were similar age, appearance and qualifications but there was some crucial differences based on colour. This was the historical origin of prejudice. Additionally, in social psychology, prejudice is a cause that creates advantages and material gains for those who are prejudiced. Political leaders cab use prejudice as an excuse for exploitation and dominion over a certain ethnic group (Oskam at al,29). They come together and share a common goal or interest. They work diligently and in cooperation to achieve that goal and seek support from the governing authorities that both groups do recognize.

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The white and the black workers in a company can work together for the purpose of achieving the goals of the company. This can help to minimize sense of superiority and inferiority complex between the two races. Many people have proposed additional conditions that must be present to for the intergroup to be successful in reducing prejudice (Abbott $ Nicola, 182). More positive attitudes and behaviours towards the group are developed. The group will, therefore, comprise of people from different racial, ethnic groups, gender, ages and occupation. They work and cooperate together for the common goal. References Abbott, Nicola, and Lindsey Cameron. "What makes a young assertive bystander? The effect of intergroup contact, empathy, cultural openness, and in‐group bias on assertive bystander intervention intentions.

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