Why are Prejudice and Conflict so Common?
Chuck Erickson showed a video that deals with prejudice and conflict and how it is so common.
Definitions for Prejudice means – an unjustified or incorrect attitude (usually negative) toward an individual or a group. Conflict means - an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals). Prejudice includes three components of an attitude which are affective, behavioral and cognitive.
There are four main explanations for prejudice: Authoritarian personally, Realistic Conflict Theory, Stereotyping and Social Identity Theory. One of these is Racism. Think about World War II where in Germany and the German-controlled lands, many of the Jewish people wore yellow stars to identify themselves as Jews. Later, many of the Jews were placed in concentration camps by the Nazis. During the 20th century over 200 million people were killed because of prejudice. Some say it was political. Some of this can be even racism.
Some examples that cause prejudice or conflict is racism, age, and gender. We today still have racial problems which cause conflict between other races. Some conflicts are caused by age and this is something you might see between younger people and older people or even within families. Today we have conflicts between gender because of transgender individuals.
Why is it we can become prejudice? In many cases prejudices are based on stereotypes. A stereotype is a simplified assumption about a group based on prior experiences or beliefs. Another cause is categorizing, where we depend upon our ability to place people, ideas, and objects into different categories in order to make the world simpler and easier to understand. Once we form these categories, they become the basis for normal prejudgment.
Today we can find prejudice or conflict within families, friends and social groups. We find this even within our social media groups.
What type of impact does prejudice or conflict have on people. One of them is poorer physical health, both directly and indirectly. Examples are living in an unhealthy environment and limited access to health resources as a result of prejudice. Indirect impacts include prejudice-related stress and altered health behaviors. Research links perceived prejudice to reduced mental health, both in terms of ethnic identity and even feelings of hope. Being part of a group that experiences real or perceived prejudices can impact health both physically and mentally.