Felicia McCaw Discussion Week 7

1. Define “Prejudice” and “Discrimination”.

Prejudice is rather a strange and weird emotion it deviates and changes when people become familiar with an unknown factor. Usually what is unknown can cause negative emotions of fear, uncertainty, smugness, condescending to others that we feel are inferior or who we don’t feel are good as ourselves. For example, being black is unique because we have a trio of colors running this race and supposed hierarchy that disposes who is better than whom. Light complexion people assume superiority over the ranges of colors brown and dark skin people. Further bases on this theory or thought the other range of colors (skin – brown and black) are treated with bias and despicable behavior and terrible condescension. This unreasonable illogical behavior has been going on since slave days and is a carryover effect. Furthermore it affects every facet of life because of negative preconceived notions that are not factual and are untrue.

Discrimination is a form of treatment based on preconceived notions of prejudice. It is instilled at a young age and is usually directed at people or a group that are considered inferior. It is the removal of a person’s right to be different and subsequent treatment of lack of regard, respect, acknowledgement of being human and removal of dignity and honor.

2. Explain what is meant by “Implicit” and “Explicit” forms of prejudice and discrimination.

Implicit Prejudice is the inner or inwardly held feelings or attitudes that are held in the unconscious. These feelings are established by interaction with people of the same race and other races. Further these feelings are built layer by layer when fulfilled by expectations of anticipated behavior. Becoming aware of what causes these changes can cause a person to consciously regress some of these layers in order to not view others (all) as a negative but differentiate between the many and focus on individuality.

Explicit Prejudice is attitudes that are consciously established either by inbred bias or learned bias. For example, familiarity breeds contempt. These attitudes are established consciously and exhibited readily without contemplation or research. The more you know a person and negative emotions or attitudes are exhibited the less the desire to socialize with them is expressed either verbally or reflective body language.

Implicit Discrimination is a subtle form of treatment that comes from ideas, associations and preferences that lay in the subconscious mind. These opinions and biases are buried so far that they are like second nature.

Explicit Discrimination is an open behavioral action that is exhibited openly that may reflect hostility either openly or latently. This behavior may be exhibited toward anyone and is not restricted to race on race.

3. What are the three basic forms of prejudice and discrimination and how do they develop?

The three basic forms of prejudice and discrimination and how they develop are:
(Referred to Text Book, Social Psychology, Chapter 6, Table 6.1, P. 204)

A. Envious Prejudice – This type of prejudice develops by a simple matter of covetness, fear of the unknown, development of resentment of abilities and drive, and hostility because of inborn bias.

Subtle forms of treatment that reflect Envious Prejudice are as follows:

Avoidance, Exclusion, Segregation, Extermination of perceived threat, competition or
perceived problem.

B. Contemptuous Prejudice – This type of prejudice develops by a perceived notion that they are better, no respect is need for someone considered beneath notice and because of this hostility is exhibited toward any one different and who wishes the right to be an individualist and not a follower.

Subtle forms of treatment that reflect Contemptuous Prejudice are as follows:

Avoidance, Exclusion, Segregation, Extermination of someone different.

C. Paternalistic Prejudice – This type of prejudice develops by reflecting disrespect, condescension for those who are in a subordinate position (elderly, women, disabled, teenagers, young adults and adolescents) and are able to be controlled by those in a dominate position.

Subtle forms of treatment that reflect Contemptuous Prejudice are as follows:

Personal intimacy, Role Segregation (rejection)

Exploring Stereotyping:

Stereotyping is one of the most negative forms of judgment calls that a person can make. For example, I believe in this wholeheartedly never judge a book by its cover. Having a fixed perception regarding people can be a decided disadvantage in either personal or professional situations because these people who are oppressed by stereotypes are negated as nothing and cannot contribute fully and untapped potential is left un-nurtured and all suffer. Being exposed to new ideas and innovations is the sole nature of evolution. It is a human right to contribute anything that can help humanity in a positive direction always and not to go back and recess nature but to continue fully forward, forward until all feel that they have helped this country and humanity evolve.

By fixating in stereotypes we lose either way – in personal experiences and professionally. Protecting the right of each race is our responsibility – each race has to be a contributor and help carry their own load. By denying them their respect to do so negates ourselves and is a double negative and will affect this country and people in its continual backslide.