Our prejudices stem from difference, and our dislike of those differences.
But since we are all somewhat different, what counts as difference
and what does not?
Sherif’s ‘Robbers Cave’ experiment (1954) suggested that it
was enough to divide people into competing groups. Tajfel’s work on ‘minimal
groups’ (1970), confirmed how group membership alone can lead to discrimination.
Prejudice and discrimination arise when someone does not
belong to our group.
The more groups we create, the more we fuel prejudice. On the flip side there is nothing,
fundamentally, stopping anyone belonging to our group – Kurzban’s (2005) research
suggests that race, gender etc. aren’t intrinsically meaningful differences – what matters
is whether someone belongs. In times of national crisis people are defined as one nation, and different groups of people come together as one.
So how do we know whether someone belongs?
By whether or not they conform to our rules. This,
ultimately, is the root of discrimination and prejudice – non-conformity. This is why it is so important - to each of us - to 'fit in'.
And
this is why innovation and difference are inextricably linked.
*Image: The Rattlers and The Eagles, Sherif's Robbers Cave Experiment.
"So how do we know whether someone belongs?
ReplyDeleteBy whether or not they conform to our rules."
I was about to answer the question differently : it appears to me necessary to bring the factor of [consciousness or lack of consciousness]. To illustrate, just above you cited Kurzban who speaks at length about the deep, organic basis of the inconsistency of behaviour. Since people act inconsistently, and can't help themselves, how can one conform to other people?
Coriolanus strikes my mind, as an example of failed attempting to conform.
Since I'm failing to understand the quote above, it might be helpful to turn to the sentence prior to it:
- In times of national crisis people are defined as one nation, and different groups of people come together as one. -
That was true in many cases, and I can easily think of exceptions: e.g., France in WW2 (https://youtu.be/YO-Ocueehfc?t=842).