Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Bias vs Prejudice, 3

Every human being is likely prejudiced about something in some way because every family script will have some prejudice in it. People can even be prejudiced against others they think are prejudiced. Research in the 1970’s began to show that prejudice tends to be based on favoritism towards one’s own groups, rather than negative feelings towards another group. According to Marilyn Brewer, prejudice "may develop not because outgroups are hated, but because positive emotions such as admiration, sympathy, and trust are reserved for the ingroup." [Brewer, Marilynn B. (1999). "The Psychology of Prejudice: Ingroup Love and Outgroup Hate?" Journal of Social Issues 55 (3): 429–44. doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00126.} And apparently, prejudice is not unique among the human species only. Wild turkeys do it, too. At least the band of wild turkeys in North Carolina, do. Part 4 tomorrow.

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