* robots

Subject: Stratification and Diversification

Title : Theories of Racism

Psychological theories of racism

Psychological theories of racism argue that racism is a form of extreme prejudice and is a manifestation of the psychological process of social perception. A prejudice is a form of extreme stereotype, and a stereotype is an attitude of one person towards another individual or group. Prejudices are forms of group stereotypes, and the formation of group stereotypes is a product of the formation of attitudes.

Prejudices are linked to ego-defence – the adoption of attitudes that serve to bolster the selfesteem of the individual that holds them.

Tajfel’s social identity theory maintains that individuals naturally strive for positive self-image, and social identity is enhanced by the process of categorising people into in-groups and out-groups. In other words, social psychologists have a tendency to see no need to look outside the concepts of social psychology in order to explain the formation of prejudice. Some psychologists also maintain that there is a distinct personality type that is inclined to adopt racist attitudes. The Frankfurt school in particular ...
Full document available from Blacksacademy

Permalink - static URL
Page 1 of 1 pages