Causes of Prejudice and Discrimination Learned Prejudice Theory

Causes of Prejudice and Discrimination

Learned Prejudice Theory • prejudice and the willingness to discriminate are attitudes that are learned. • this process begins in early childhood and is transmitted by agents of socialization such as mass media, peer group, family values and attitudes, etc. • because prejudice and discrimination are learned, they can be “unlearned” – though this process may take a long time.

Frustration-Aggression Theory • because life can be difficult and trying at times, people may become frustrated when they are prevented (of feel that they are being prevented) from accomplishing their goals. • when this frustration continues for a prolonged period of time, people begin searching for explanations for their difficulties. • this can lead to blaming others for their personal frustration (scapegoats) and to some people becoming aggressive towards the group. • often, the target becomes a particular religious or ethnic group and this can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Competition Theory • rapidly changing social and economic conditions in modern societies can lead to competition for jobs and other scarce resources. • to give themselves a competitive advantage or edge, the dominant group in society may try to exploit (take advantage of) another, less powerful group in order to control these resources. • to justify this desire to exploit another group, the dominant group may choose to see the group they are exploiting as inferior; this opens the door to prejudice and discrimination. • competition for scare resources becomes most acute when economic conditions are not favourable.

Ignorance Theory • lack of information and/or personal experience can lead to incorrect assumptions and stereotypes about other groups. • over time, like a vicious circle, ignorance can lead to deeper feelings of prejudice and harsher forms of discrimination.