Causes of Prejudice Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Causes of Prejudice - Research Paper Example The second article by C.P Ellis sounds like an autobiography. He vividly recalls many mishaps in his life that formed the basis of his prejudiced personality. The many difficulties he encountered in his life anchored with peer influence made him develop a strong sense of prejudice, especially to the African Americans. However, this ended after he came back to his senses and realized that no race is better than the other is. Malcolm X, the author of the third article focuses on how our own individual behaviors’ influences our levels of prejudice. His strong desire to achieve without looking behind is well reflected in the third article entitled learning to read. His great interest to develop learning skills as an inmate, made him made him rise to be to be one of the greatest historians of all times. His unique personality made him an all-around individual with no any racial bias to all groups in the society and motivates him to foster for the same. There are three important cau ses of prejudice, they are levels of prejudice, self-justification, and personality. Prejudice, like cultural values, is learned through the socialization process. Many prejudices are passed along from the parents to their children. The media, such as advertising, television, as well as films, also take part in perpetuating negative depictions. This can take the form of stereotypes as well as demeaning images of assorted groups, such as gays and lesbians, ethnic minorities, the elderly, women, and the disabled. No child is born with prejudice. They learn core values and beliefs from their parents, other family members, the media, peers, teachers, and others around them. In short, children acquire prejudiced attitudes through the socialization process. Much prejudice socialization takes place outside their home.  In conclusion, prejudice is an undesirable manifestation of the power of integration. Prejudice sets people apart. Prejudice has several causes, most of which can be dealt with. Ironically, even prejudice can imply some sort of relationship. If such relatio nship did not exist among people, they would be totally unaware of the other group's existence. Where there is any form of, even a negative one, there exists some integration.