6D - Prejudice, Discrimination and Stigma

Question 1

What is a stereotype?

Answer 1

A stereotype is a collection of beliefs that we have about the people who belong to a certain group, regardless of individual differences among members of that group.

Question 2

What is stereotyping?

Answer 2

Process of grouping or fitting people into a category based on their characteristics.
- our brain shortcutting how we perceive people in whether or not we should approach them.
- also not necessarily a bad thing

Question 3

What is prejudice?

Answer 3

Holding a negative attitude towards the members of a group, based solely on their membership of that group.

Question 4

List 8 groups that can be the focus of prejudice:

Answer 4

• Women
• Men
• LGBTQI+
• Members of an ethnic group
• Indigenous people
• Elderly people
• People with illnesses (mental or physical)
• Certain occupations

Question 5

Who created the four characteristics of prejudice?

Answer 5

Herbert Blumer (1961)
- stated there are four characteristics that can be seen among members of a majority group who hold prejudice towards a minority group.

Question 6

What are Blumer’s four characteristics of the majority group?

Answer 6

1. Tend to believe they are superior to the minority group
2. Tend to believe the minority group is different to them
3. Tend to believe they are more powerful and important than the minority group
4. Show insecurity, fearing that the minority group may become more powerful and important

Question 7

What is a Majority group?

Answer 7

A social group considered to have the most power in a particular place

Question 8

What is a Minority group?

Answer 8

A social group considered to have less power then the majority group

Question 9

What is discrimination?

Answer 9

Refers to negative behaviour that is directed towards a social group and its members.
- something you can actively see

Question 10

What is behaviour?

Answer 10

Actions or reactions of a person in response to external or internal stimuli.

Question 11

What are examples of forms that discrimination can take?

Answer 11

• Ignoring people
• Excluding them from activities/places
• Putting people down
• Physical violence against particular people

Question 12

Direct discrimination

Answer 12

Occurs when a person treats, or proposes to treat, someone unfavourably because of a personal characteristic.
- someone is being treated unfairly because of their association with a particular group.
- personal characteristics: particular coloured eyes, hair, skin colour
- obviously discriminate against you

Question 13

Example of direct discrimination

Answer 13

Not hiring a pregnant woman for a job because she is pregnant is an obvious and direct level of discrimination.
- choosing not to hire this person because she is physically and obviously pregnant.

Question 14

Indirect discrimination

Answer 14

A practice or rule applied to all people that unfairly disadvantages one group.
- more difficult to see

Question 15

Example of indirect discrimination

Answer 15

A company that has 18 levels in its building has no elevator or ways for disabled people (someone in a wheelchair or on crutches), to access the building, and the only way to access the building is through stairs.
- indirectly discriminating those who have difficulty walking

Question 16

What is stigma?

Answer 16

A negative label associated with disapproval or rejection by others who are not labelled in the same way.
- labelling someone in a bad way, disapproving of them and rejecting them because they are different from you

Question 17

Social stigma definition

Answer 17

The disapproval of an individual or group based on perceived characteristics that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society.

Question 18

Example of social stigma

Answer 18

Due to the stigma that Indigenous men tend to be alcoholics, the police may be less likely to believe them if they report a crime and may instead be suspicious of them.

Question 19

Self - stigma definition

Answer 19

The negative attitudes, including internalised shame, that people may have on themselves and their own condition.

Question 20

Example of self - stigma

Answer 20

A child with a disability may believe that they can’t play basketball, causing them to avoid the sport completely or even their friends who play, for the fear that they will be made fun of.

Question 21

What are effects of stigma?

Answer 21

• The stigmatised person or group feeling rejected, ignored and devalued
• Feelings of shame, disgrace, low self-esteem, which can reduce the likelihood of someone seeking help when required

Question 22

Negative impacts of prejudice, discrimination and stigma on mental wellbeing

Answer 22

• An inability to deal with stress
• Mistrust in relationships
• Mental health problems (increased likelihood to develop)
• Substance abuse
• Feelings of isolation and helplessness
• Lower self-esteem (confidence in one’s own worth or abilities)

Question 23

What is a group?

Answer 23

Two or more people who interact, influence and share a common purpose (goal) with each other.

Question 24

List the four main characteristics of a group

Answer 24

1. Number of people (two or more)
2. Required to interact with each other longer than a few moments
3. Influence each other
4. Share a common purpose or goal

Question 25

What are some examples of groups?

Answer 25

• Family
• Friends
• Communities (cultural, sports, etc.)
• Your class

Question 26

How does prejudice, discrimination and social stigma negatively impact a group’s mental wellbeing?

Answer 26

• Can be traumatic on entire communities and cause mistrust on a local, national or even global scale.
• In addition to mistrust, it can result in social isolation, cause barriers to accessing treatment or even heightened levels of anxiety.

Question 27

How would you reduce prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 27

• Protest against something you feel strongly about
• Changing the law
• Advocating for change
• Calling out bad behaviours (not being a bystander)
• Standing up for people
• Different campaigns

Question 28

What are four approaches to reducing prejudice, discrimination and stigma?

Answer 28

1. Education
2. Inter-group contact
3. Social media
4. Laws

Question 29

Explanation of education

Answer 29

Providing knowledge and information about the unknown is a great way to correct, or at least begin to identify, misinformation and assumptions that people may have about others.

Question 30

Example of education

Answer 30

Reading articles or journals to better understand how mental disorders effect people.

Question 31

Explanation of inter-group contact

Answer 31

The impact of stigma and prejudice can be reduced through conversations. By having discussions, asking respectful questions, and taking the time to listen, you can better understand others’ experiences and avoid engaging in offensive behaviours or minsets.

Question 32

Example of inter-group contact

Answer 32

Spending time with a classmate from a different culture or religion to learn more about their experiences or views.

Question 33

Explanation of social media

Answer 33

Social media can be a useful tool in raising awareness and calling out prejudice or discrimination. The impact of these attempts is usually more widespread and better realised due to a variety of people from different parts of the world being active on these platforms.

Question 34

Example of social media

Answer 34

In 2016, Mila Kunis wrote an open letter in A Plus Magazine about the gender discrimination she faces in her career.

Question 35

Explanation of laws

Answer 35

Laws can prevent discrimination and reduce the negative impact it has on wellbeing, as these laws may help protect and give a voice to minority groups.

Question 36

Example of laws

Answer 36

The Abolition of the White Australia Policy.