Understanding Human Differences Multicultural Education for a Diverse

Defining Terms Related to Human Differences Prejudice: A negative attitude toward a group and

Conceptions & Misconceptions of PREJUDICE How widespread is PREJUDICE Understanding Human Differences 3 rd

PREJUDICE is a Global Phenomenon People of all nations have prejudicial BELIEFS about others

American Media • Often EXCLUDES minority groups Or • INCLUDES minority groups presented in

Source: John Branch, San Antonio Express-News Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman

MUSLIMS are often portrayed as terrorists and fanatics Poll: • 25% of Americans have

What examples of PREJUDICE exist in our LANGUAGE NEGATIVE associations with the color black

“I Jewed the price down” reflects a history of stereotyping Jews “Retard” or “Faggot”

What examples of GENDER PREJUDICE exist in our LANGUAGE Understanding Human Differences 3 rd

Historic Use of “MAN” emphasizes the importance of men Feminists have successfully lobbied to

Consequences & Causes of PREJUDICE Is PREJUDICE the main cause of DISCRIMINATION in society

Some studies document a significant reduction of prejudice in the U. S. Other studies

How does the INTEREST THEORY explain DISCRIMINATION People may engage in NEGATIVE ACTIONS against

Some white homeowners fear that their property values may go down if families of

How is self-interest involved in the INTERNAL COLONIALISM THEORY Individuals with accumulated wealth and

How is DISCRIMINATION explained by the INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION THEORY Understanding Human Differences 3 rd

INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION THEORY focuses on policies and practices in INSTITUTIONS that may not have

What factors promote the development of PREJUDICE Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition -

Frustration Scapegoating Uncertainty Stereotyping Threat to self-esteem Feeling Superior Competition for status, wealth, and

Prejudice against Muslims Uncertainty - Terrorist stereotype Frustration - 50% of Americans say Muslims

How are PREJUDICES perpetuated Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2

RATIONALIZATIONS perpetuate PREJUDICES: ØDENIAL ØVICTIM-BLAMING ØAVOIDANCE Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman

DENIAL Denying the existence or significance of prejudice or discrimination Women aren’t discriminated against…

VICTIM-BLAMING Identifying individual deficiencies as the cause of individual problems rather than discrimination against

AVOIDANCE Acknowledging the existence of prejudice and discrimination against groups but refusing to address

AVOIDANCE By making statements that distract from the main issue (red herring arguments): “I

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Understanding Human Differences Multicultural Education for a Diverse America 3 rd Edition By Kent L. Koppelman Chapter 2 Understanding Prejudice And Its Causes This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: • Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network • Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images • Any rental, lease, or lending of the program Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 0 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Defining Terms Related to Human Differences Prejudice: A negative attitude toward a group and persons perceived to be members of that group; being predisposed to behave negatively toward members of the group Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 1 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

PREJUDICE is a Global Phenomenon People of all nations have prejudicial BELIEFS about others and often ACT on them Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 3 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

American Media • Often EXCLUDES minority groups Or • INCLUDES minority groups presented in a STEREOTYPICAL way Can you think of some examples? Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 4 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

MUSLIMS are often portrayed as terrorists and fanatics Poll: • 25% of Americans have a negative attitude toward Muslims • 50% support restricting the civil liberties of Muslim Americans Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 6 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

What examples of PREJUDICE exist in our LANGUAGE NEGATIVE associations with the color black Black Magic POSITIVE associations with the color white Cleanliness Purity Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 7 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

“I Jewed the price down” reflects a history of stereotyping Jews “Retard” or “Faggot” used as playground insults Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 8 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Historic Use of “MAN” emphasizes the importance of men Feminists have successfully lobbied to promote the use of more inclusive terms: Mail Carrier/Mailman Fire Fighter/Fireman Police Officer/Policeman Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 10 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Some studies document a significant reduction of prejudice in the U. S. Other studies report little reduction in discrimination Scholars developed NEW THEORIES Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 12 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

How does the INTEREST THEORY explain DISCRIMINATION People may engage in NEGATIVE ACTIONS against others to serve their own interests but NOT BE PREJUDICED against the group Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 13 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Some white homeowners fear that their property values may go down if families of color move into the neighborhood How might this lead to DISCRIMINATION? Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 14 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

How is self-interest involved in the INTERNAL COLONIALISM THEORY Individuals with accumulated wealth and power may take NEGATIVE ACTIONS that disadvantage others to maintain their power and privilege Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 15 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

INSTITUTIONALIZED DISCRIMINATION THEORY focuses on policies and practices in INSTITUTIONS that may not have been intended to have an adverse effect on a particular group Men socializing after work Women going home after work How might this result in DISCRIMINATION? Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 17 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Frustration Scapegoating Uncertainty Stereotyping Threat to self-esteem Feeling Superior Competition for status, wealth, and power See competitors as enemy Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 19 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

Prejudice against Muslims Uncertainty - Terrorist stereotype Frustration - 50% of Americans say Muslims are more likely to promote violence than other faiths Threat to Self-Esteem - 59% of Muslims have college degrees Competition - Salary Comparison $50, 000 = Average U. S. annual income $60, 000 = Average Muslim-American income Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 20 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

DENIAL Denying the existence or significance of prejudice or discrimination Women aren’t discriminated against… Men are just naturally better at certain things. Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 23 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

VICTIM-BLAMING Identifying individual deficiencies as the cause of individual problems rather than discrimination against a group If Blacks weren’t so sensitive… we wouldn’t have so many racial problems. Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 24 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

AVOIDANCE Acknowledging the existence of prejudice and discrimination against groups but refusing to address the root causes of their problems By offering false or partial solutions: If we refuse to acknowledge race we could end racism (False) We could reduce sexism dramatically if we taught about women’s contributions to the U. S. (Partial) Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 25 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc

AVOIDANCE By making statements that distract from the main issue (red herring arguments): “I know that some people are discriminated against… But lets look at the bright side – things are getting better. ” Understanding Human Differences 3 rd Edition - Koppelman Chapter 2 - 26 © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc