Is a hostile / negative attitude towards a distinguishable group of individual which usually leads to treating them negatively, unfair or discriminatory behaviour

Cognitive, person centred theories, intergroup theories, societal factors

Is an unjustified harmful/negative action towards a member of a group simply because they belong to that group

Unfair or unequal treatment of people by organisation, institution or society solely on a basis of group membership

Authoritarianism, social dominance and frustration agression theory

Is where it involves more of an individual personality, or individual experiences which leads to then being prejudiced against someone

Argued that the range of prejudice lies differently in each individual. some argued that the root of prejudice lies in child rearing techniques, many of their parents are also prejudice themselves. A harsh teaching background would lead to these child growing up with a rigid view on certain things or people, making them prejudice towards others.

Prejudice derives from individuals liking the idea of hierarchy and dislike the idea of equality. As such, for those with contrasting world views (e.g. world as dangerous and competitive) give rise to right wing authoritarianism and social dominance

Based on an individual emotional and motivational state. When a person fails to achieve a goal, the frustration can lead to the person having vent their frustration on anybody thats "available". However, frustration alone is not enough for the occurance of prejudice and hostility.

Shared generalisations and stereotyping

categorisation, stereotyping, cognitive processes such as accentuation principle, out group homogeneity, illusory correlation and stereotypes resistant to change

We categorise information or people into different characteristic and classify them into groups. We then use these information or stereotypes to determine someone.

Increase in perceived differences between groups with respect to attributes believed to be associated with the group. For example, if Americans are believed to br taller than Italians, they tend to be seen as even taller.

People see what they expect to see.

Hostility and conflict will arise when individuals categorise themselves as belonging to social groups. Problems arise when there are differences seen among these groups.

Members of the social group will share a sense of injustice and may engage in protest when they perceivr a discrepency between what they believe their group deserved versus what they actually attained

As we identify ourselves and others through different characteristics eg age, gender etc we tend to put ourselves into the same group of people that are similar to us through personal identity. Hence, as we compare ourselves (ingroup) versus others (out group) we want our group to be better than others to feed ourselves with more confidence and esteem. Hence, this can lead to bias and conflicts because we want to be better than others.

Following what the majourity to blend in. For example, Pettigrew, Whites in SA and Southern US who conformef to normals in respective societies are more inclined to be prejudice against blacks. Those that are already prejudice would encourage those that arent to be prejudice. However, norms changes overtime so this isnt strong enough to argue that prejudice happens just because of conformity.

contact hypothesis, influencing individual, discrimination legislation

Using persuasion to change other peoples attitudes however, such beliefs are often not rational and often not a product of ignorance

Attitudes and behaviours towards out-group will be much more positive after more interaction with them hence, prejudice can be reduce. However, conditions must be met: I) equal status Ii) talking to each other Iii) institutional support (law, customs)

Legislation may provide useful structure within which activities to reduce prejudice may take place. Can be done by positive discrimination