An Evolutionary Basis?

• There is some scientific research to suggest that discrimination and prejudice were present in ancient man. The fear of that which is different, that which we do not understand, could have been an adaptive strategy early on in our history. Those who avoided something or someone who was unfamilar, also avoided injury or death in many instances. The populations of early man likely had much less variation in appearance and behavior than the human cultures of today. Nonetheless, unfamiliar and possibly hostile members of other groups, not to mention animal predators, provoked a defensive response. This response still can work well for us in certain situations. Someone that looks creepy may in fact be dangerous, and the avoidance of such a person may save a life. While some measure of caution in the face of the unfamiliar is still adaptive on an individual level, when this healthy doubt becomes a widespread prejudice on a group level, it ceases to be adaptive.
  
  

Gross Misrepresentation of Facts

• Negative stereotypes are often created out of a grain of truth that has been grossly distorted to denigrate groups of people. For example, the stereotype that Mexicans are lazy stems from misconceptions about the cultural tradition of the siesta. The fact that many African tribes use dance as an integral part of their rituals has led to the idea that all African-Americans can dance. The misplaced notions that all Asians are good at math and all Jews are good with money stem from the efforts of oppressed people attempting to suceed in difficult situations. Stereotypes, even those with seemingly positive attributes, have harmful effects on their subjects. Not only can stereotypes lead to prejudice and discrimination, if they are internalized by their targets, self-worth is damaged. Prejudice can create self fulfilling prophecies wherein a person thinks "If this is how the world will always view me, then why fight it"?
  
  

Transmission and Projection

• Although discrimination may or may not be an evolutionary predisposition, there is no question that in modern times, certain people twist half truths into harmful stereotypes. Fear, anger, ignorance or jealousy can lead to the formation of bigoted and xenophobic attitudes. Consider how the anger and fear that people felt in the wake of 9/11 turned, for some, into fear and hate for all Muslims. Discrimination sometimes rears its head in rationalizations for why one's life is not as it should be. It is human nature to want to believe the best about yourself. It may be easier to blame affirmative action than to admit jealousy when another person excels where you lack. Discrimination most often takes the form of ignorance. For those who have limited social worlds, one bad experience with a member of a particular group is easily generalized into a negative perception of everyone belonging to that group. Unfortunately, prejudice is often passed through generations. Only through education can we hope to eradicate this social disease.