Social Bias
Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc380754616 h 1Concepts of prejudice, stereotype and discrimination. PAGEREF _Toc380754617 h 1Difference between Subtle and blatant bias PAGEREF _Toc380754618 h 2Impacts of bias on Individuals PAGEREF _Toc380754619 h 2Strategies used to overcome social biases. PAGEREF _Toc380754620 h 3
IntroductionSocial biases are described as preference toward a particular way of thinking or how something is viewed. To be biased simply means that a person’s attitude or behavior is under the influence of a particular prejudice. Social biases are a problem in the society since one group looks down on another group since that particular group feels better than the other. Social biases affect social judgment, how people view each other and what behaviors’ are expcted.prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination are all forms of social bias that can have a negative impact on ones quality of life. There are claims that social biases can be overcome if a person has the capacity and motivation to change their attitude. Social bias is a common phenomenon in many group interactions and involves a negative evaluation of group.
Concepts of prejudice, stereotype and discrimination.Stereotyping is when a person applies their own cognitive expectancies and associations about a particular group. Prejudice is an emotional response to a person on the basis of the person’s feelings about the particular group. There can be negative prejudgment of groups and its individual members on the basis of their membership. This is an overall attitude that has an influence on emotions and thoughts about a group and the behavior towards the group as well (Diaz, 2011).
A stereotype is a representation of beliefs of personal attributes of the group of people. They are often overgeneralized, inaccurate and resistant to new information. It’s a belief that members of a particular group all have the same characteristics. It basically involves the generalization about the characteristics of members of a group that is typical to other members. As all other forms of bias, stereotype can be positive or negative, accurate or inaccurate. Discrimination on the other hand entails acting on the basis of prejudices and stereotypes hence denying equality in treatment that people desire on these basis. This is the actual positive or negative actions towards the objects of prejudice.
Difference between Subtle and blatant biasSubtle bias is also known as modern prejudice, appears subtly when preferences are made for what is familiar, similar and comfortable. This includes the exaggerating differences of members in out-groups, a feeling of less admiration and less affection for out-group members. A rejection of out-group’s for reasons that are not discriminatory. This form of bias is termed as cool and indirect and its manifestation is in behaviors such as blaming out-groups ,a view of disadvantages of out-group’s as intrinsic features of their essential makeup and a withhold of sympathy and respect. On the other hand Blatant bias is termed as old-fashioned bias and occurs as a result of threats to an ingroup,a struggle for positive group identity ,a comparison between groups and favoritism that is ingroup.This form of discrimination include verbal rejection,avoidance,segregation,physical attack and extermination. Verbal discrimination entails racial slurs, demeaning jokes that are often inappropriate and other verbal methods that may create a hostile environment. Segregation and avoidance include remaining close to in-group members and an exclusion of out-group members. Physically aggressive bias is represented by attack and extermination (Diaz, M. 2011).
Impacts of bias on IndividualsThe social bias have different impacts on the social life of individuals, career as well as where they are living. Discrimination as a form of social bias can be able to create a negative outcome that includes avoidance and hostile atmosphere while bringing different negative behaviors which the biased perceiver may expect. The expectancy effects usually tells how a biased person can interact with out group members, however, the behavior towards the members may solicit an expected negative outcomes. It is therefore true that, both the subtle and blatant forms of bias are capable of impacting the feelings of individuals among their own group and feelings which might be threatened by different out groups. People should then be aware that biased treatment from different groups can change the self-esteem of the individuals.
Racism, sexism and ageism, all these are forms of prejudice which tend to influence or affect the social lives and career of individuals. However, racism is a discrimination which is based on the ethnic background of individuals, even though it has today decreased in the society given that some societies have managed to adopt an attitude which is less tolerant against other forms of discriminations such as blatant. As a result, some racial groups continue experiencing different social bias because of their heritage and hate in organizations (Clark, 2010).
Strategies used to overcome social biases.Many strategies have been used to overcome social biases not only in the society but also in growing organizations. Strategies such as equal opportunity law as well as affirmative action have been used the solutions to this problem. The strategies involve increasing the contact among the inter groups. For example, take a case where the biased people have the capacity along with motivation for the change; it is definitely clear that, the situational goals might contribute to any gaining control of the subtle as a form of bias. The intergroup contact is sometimes significant due to specific circumstances. Individuals members interactions of the socially divergent groups are termed to be constructive when there is equality in status of the groups within the contact situation, common goals, and authority permit for the contact. The concept of intergroup contact increases inter dependence by allowing the group members to be relying on one another with specific shared goals (Clark, 2010).
Reference
Clark, P. (2010). ‘I Don’t Think I’m Biased’ | Teaching Tolerance. Teaching Tolerance. Retrieved October 29, 2012, from http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-37-spring-2010/i-don-t-think-i-m-biasedDiaz, M. (2011).Social Bias:sound farmiliar.Retrieved October 29,2012 from http://voices.yahoo.com/social-bias-sound-familiar-8908529.html?cat=72
