Answered: What are the causes of racial…

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

10th Edition

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Chapter1: Introducing Social Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ1

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What are the causes of racial prejudice?

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Step 1

Introduction

Racism is the idea that a person's ethnicity is a major determinant of their characteristics and abilities. As a result, a hierarchy emerges in which certain races are superior to others. The dictionary's second entry delves further into the topic of prejudice and influence. Racism is the systematic discrimination of an ethnic group in order for another group to benefit socially, economically, or politically. Both concepts are relevant in this article, which examines ten structural and personal or individual causes of racism.

Causes of Racial Prejudice

Self Interest: Self-interest, according to many scholars, is at the core of racist views. People from Africa were abducted and sold into slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries. Since European investors realized that indentured servants couldn't manage the work required to grow tobacco, sugar, and cotton in the Americas, they made this decision.
Scientific Racism: Although some may argue that bigotry breeds prejudice, racist views were supported by some of history's most brilliant minds. Science took the place of faith and superstition as the intellectual authority at the end of the 18th century. Many racial views, such as that mixed-race children had more health issues and lived shorter lives, were justified by "science" at the time.