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Scientific Racism
This theory was the understanding of scientific evidence to show other races in a negative way. It supported the belief that coloured people are inferior and subsequently justified slavery and colonialism -
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Psychological Understanding of Prejudice of Racism in America
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Psychodynamic theory
As slavery was abolished social scientists questioned if prejudice is natural and instead queried if it is an unjustifiable social problem. Researchers asked why such irrational beliefs such as racism where so endemic. They concluded that prejudice was the movement of negative feelings and behaviours onto others, specifically minorities. Also argued at this time was that prejudice helps reinforce one’s personal identity and increases self esteem -
Sociocultural Theory
As racism persisted in the 1950’s and 1960’s prejudice was viewed by scholars as a cultural problem. In this argument societies wish to hold the correct beliefs to be accepted. People in these societies accept the prejudices they are presented with to likewise be accepted -
Intergroup Relations Theory
Racism still continued and another theory was born which was based on the argument that prejudice comes from competition with other groups particularly regarding the allocation of resources. One group, for example, may feel that another group receives more resources than they deserve -
Cognitive Theory
In the 1980’s the cognitive theory came to prominence. This theory is radically different in that it explains prejudice as a necessary cognitive process that helps us reduce large amounts of information in the brain to simpler digestible levels. It is also accepted however that this streamlining consumption of information can have harmful consequences in the form of negative prejudices. -
Evolutionary Theory
The evolutionary theory states that people are inherently prejudiced because they have developed a fear of people different to themselves to avoid harm from outsiders. “Prejudice... is a by product of the human desire to manage threats.” (Whitley, Kite 2010, P.32.)
