Root Causes of Racial and Ethnic Prejudice Discrimination While Distinguishing Key Differences in University Social Science Modules

Module 10: (DQ1). What are the causes of racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination? What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination? Engaging with these questions allows students to draw connections between historical contexts and current societal challenges.

Textbook: Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society

Sample Answer to Guide Your Discussion Response

Socialization within families and communities often instills biased attitudes from an early age and leads to persistent prejudice against racial and ethnic groups. Economic competition for resources can fuel discriminatory practices as groups vie for limited opportunities in jobs and housing. Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes toward a group while discrimination involves actual behaviors that disadvantage others based on those attitudes. Media representations frequently reinforce stereotypes and contribute to widespread ethnic biases in society. Institutional structures like policies in education and law enforcement perpetuate discrimination even when individual prejudice decreases over time. Recent research emphasizes how these factors interplay in maintaining health disparities among affected populations (Stopforth et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101217). Addressing these issues requires ongoing education and policy reforms to foster greater equity.

References / Learning Materials

• Stopforth, S., Kapadia, D. and Nazroo, J. (2022) ‘The enduring effects of racism on health: Understanding direct and indirect effects over time’, SSM – Population Health, 19, p. 101217. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101217.
• Hudson, S. T. J. (2024) ‘Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination at the intersection of race and gender: An intersectional theory primer’, Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(2), e12939. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12939.
• Guo, S. (2023) ‘Interventions to Reduce Racial Bias and Discrimination in the United States: A Scoping Review’, Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 14(1), pp. 215-239. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1086/723871.
• Willis, H. A., Sosoo, E. E., Bernard, D. L., Neal, A. and Neblett, E. W. (2021) ‘The Associations Between Internalized Racism, Racial Identity, and Psychological Distress’, Emerging Adulthood, 9(4), pp. 384-400. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968211005598.