Discrimination

Definition of Discrimination

Discrimination includes differences in verbal and non-verbal behavior, such as when a White interviewer makes speech errors or less eye contact when interacting with an African American as opposed to a White job applicant. Discrimination may also be blatant or subtle in form, and it may be intentional or unintentional. For instance, discrimination may include obvious acts of aggression, social exclusion, differences in the allocation of valued resources (e.g., raises and promotions), or subtle acts of condescension. Discrimination may, at times, seem to be characterized by seemingly kind acts, as well as negative acts. Traditional women and elderly people, for instance, may be excessively praised for accomplishments because such accomplishments are not expected of women and elderly people. Importantly, however, such praise tends to be condescending because it has an implicit qualifier, such as ‘Wow, she's great, for a woman!'

Members of many different groups may be targets of discrimination. These groups include, but are not limited to, women, racial minorities, elderly people, gay men, lesbian women, immigrants, people who live in poverty, people with physical disabilities, and overweight people.

Causes of Discrimination

Discrimination is thought to follow from prejudice and stereotyping. Although this is often the case, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination are distinct constructs.

Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are typically conceptualized as the three components of intergroup attitudes. Prejudice refers to the affective component of an attitude. It describes the way a person feels about a particular group, which can be negative or positive. Stereotyping refers to the cognitive component of an attitude. In other words, stereotypes are beliefs about a particular group. Like prejudice, stereotypes can have negative and/or positive content. If someone thinks that women are warm and communal, but not influential and leader-like, then that person holds a stereotype about women. Discrimination refers to the behavioral component of an attitude.

Discrimination is a complex phenomenon that sometimes stems from prejudice. Some theorists, for example, argue that prejudice often is expressed through ingroup favoritism. People tend to value that which is and those who are familiar, and people tend to protect their values through ingroup favoritism. Others have linked prejudice and discrimination to personality constructs, such as the authoritarian personality (characterized by preoccupation with power, authority, and adherence to cultural ideals). Importantly, discrimination is related to the natural and adaptive mechanisms humans use to negotiate and make sense of complex social contexts. People view themselves as group members to satisfy the need to belong and to achieve positive social identities. By associating with groups and differentiating one's own group from other groups, people can belong to valued groups and achieve a positive sense of self. Ironically, adaptive self processes are often associated with discrimination, or favoring one's own group at the expense of the other groups.

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