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The Psychology of Prejudice: Understanding Bias and Discrimination
The Roots of Prejudice: A Psychological Perspective
Imagine you’re walking down the street on a sunny afternoon. People are going about their business, some are chatting with friends, others are rushing to get to their next meeting, and a few are just enjoying the weather. Then, suddenly, you notice a person walking towards you — someone you’ve never met before. They look different from you in some way. Maybe it’s the color of their skin, their clothes, or the way they speak. As they approach, you can’t help but have a thought or feeling about them. Perhaps you feel uneasy or automatically judge them based on what you see.
This isn’t an uncommon experience. As human beings, we are often quick to judge others based on surface-level characteristics, such as their appearance, race, gender, or even their behavior. These judgments can influence how we interact with people — sometimes in ways that are unfair or biased. But why does this happen? Why do we feel the need to categorize and judge people, often without knowing much about them? And how can we break the cycle of bias and discrimination?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the psychology of prejudice, exploring why we hold biases, how they form, and the consequences they have on individuals and…
