The terms prejudice and stereotypes are often being mixed up with, due to them having the similar characteristic of preconceived ideas towards a target group, however, they are thoroughly different concepts. Brinkerhoff et al defined prejudice as having biased thoughts towards a targeted group of people, racism and discrimination are forms of prejudice(192). Stereotypes, on the other hand, may or may include negative attitude towards the targeted group. Despite them being as quite different concepts, there are casual connections between the two, since prejudice is actually the negative outcome of stereotypes(192). The cause of prejudice can scholars into four categories: cultural transmission, group identification theory, personality theories and frustration-aggression hypothesis(class notes). I will define and discuss three of the above approaches, and by providing proofs and examples I would explain that the Group Identification Theory best explains discriminatory behaviors.
The cultural transmission theory refers to prejudice that is transferred from generation to generation by various mediums. Prejudice is
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This theory provides some insight to why people tries to shift the blame to others, also know as scapegoating(Whitley and Kite). In this theory, prejudice is not the only outcome from frustration, in fact, frustration can also be the cause of violence(Nielsen), which is much worse outcome comparing to prejudice. After the defeat in world war one, the Germans were further disgraced by the Versailles Treaty, unable to avenge and out of frustration, the germans directed their hate towards the Jews(Nielsen), resulting in the occurrence of the holocaust, a tragic outcome by the combination of both prejudice and