Causes Of Racist Behaviour

Racism comes in many different shapes and sizes, but they are all harmful to both the racist and the victim. Racism is the belief that certain characteristics and appearances indicate that they are more superior or inferior than others from a different race (Szoke, H. 2012). This report will cover the triggers and origins of racial behaviour, racism towards Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia, and the effect of racism on psychological aspects. It will also cover stereotypes briefly.

Triggers of Racist Behaviour

There are different reasons that trigger people to act in certain ways to people. One reason is through appearance. When people look different to the ‘normal’ white Australian/English people, they are most likely to

Stereotypes do not come from ourselves naturally, unless we have heard them before or we learnt them. There is an advantage and a disadvantage to stereotypes. The advantage is that we will be prepared for a situation because of the stereotype or previous experience. The disadvantage relates more to racism. Stereotypes can lead people to ignore certain differences between races, and subsequently start thinking facts about other people that are not true (McLeod 2008). Stereotypes are a form of racism, and the main thing about this form is that it is used everywhere, no matter the

For example, when the person with racist behaviour is at school, it can come in the form of bullying and excluding the victim, whereas at home, it can be racist comments or stereotypes being shared between family members (Racism. It stops with me. 2016). Racism at school and online is the most common in adolescence, according to a survey run by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Another occurrence of racism is in public places. There have been many situations where security guards and receptionists have denied the Indigenous people access to their hotels, nightclubs, and casinos (National Inquiry into Racist Violence in Australia 1991), and when they’ve been harassed at parks and buses by complete strangers (van Krieken et al 2014).

Psychological effects of racism

Victims of racism suffer through many phases depending on the level of racist behaviour they receive. Monnica Williams, a psychologist, described one of her patient’s situations. Her patient was experiencing racism in work and had a major withdrawal in addition to suffering from extreme anxiety (Wortham 2015). The main symptoms of racism is depression, stress, anxiety, inability to sleep and avoidance of other people (Williams 2015). Williams (2013) argues that the psychological effects of racism doesn’t only occur from direct offence; it occurs also from a ‘third-party’, through the news or social