Negative Intergroup Attitude, Essay Example

Prejudice has been described by psychologists as negative intergroup attitude.  In essence this has three components that relate to conditioning in the human brain.  It is these traits that determine the level of  prejudicial status.

1. Negative stereo-typing of a target group e.g. racial hatred of a specific ethnic group of people, thereby branding the group a certain way – the Nazis branding of the Jews as racially impure.
2. Negative behavioural inclinations towards a target group e.g. the treatment of the negro immigrants by the Ku Klux Klan.
3. Negative feelings towards a target group often classified as bigotry.  This has often been associated with class distinction e.g. in the UK there were three distinct classes – the Upper Class or Aristocracy, The Middle Class and the Working Class.  This bigotry associated individual categorization of people who were only seemed fit to hold a certain station in life dependant upon the right of birth.  If you were the son of a Lord you were an Aristocrat; if the son of a Factory Worker then you are a working class boy and Society would treat you according to class, later described as “Class Distinction”.

Bigotry is much more concerned with the attitudes that one section of society have with another. It contains both elements of prejudice and intolerance.  An example might be that of vegetarian eaters attitudes to meat eaters. Attitudes can vary from negative to downright hostile, particularly toward the dietary philosophy known as “instinctive eating.”  In order to adjust peoples thinking it is all about proper Education and the ability for people to open their minds to wider horizons and accepting tolerance to others points of views.  A good example is the Palestinian crisis in the Middle East and the attitude of the Israelis with the Palestinians and vice versa. This is bigotry and prejudice without end.  It is harder to change the opinions of Adults than that of a Child, hence reformation has to start with the Children’s Education and build a level of understanding with the future generations. This is the best method of breaking down the barriers of ignorance and contempt.