Factors Contributing Prejudice and how to Eliminate It

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Factors contributing prejudice and how to eliminate it
There are many social factors that may lead to prejudice. Inequality is one of the factors that contribute to prejudice; unequal distribution of prestige, power, and money within a group can make the “haves” develop prejudice against the “have-nots” to give account of their more privileged position. Secondly, the manner in which social identity is defined contributes to prejudice. Some people socially identify themselves as “we” (the in-group), and, therefore, exclude themselves from “they” (the out-group). This encourages in-group bias, which tends to favor a group of particular people, which promote prejudice against others. Thirdly, many prejudices are passed to children from parents through socialization. Fourth, the media, movies and television also display belittling images, which stereotype about certain groups such as the elderly, the lesbians and gays, the disabled, women and ethnic minorities. Fifth, conforming behaviors may also lead to prejudices. According to Bernstein, some people are under pressure to conform to the point of views of their groups, friends, and families, which lead to ...