Which of the following statements is true? a. Prejudice and discrimination amount to the same thing Ob. Stereotypes are always negative or unflattering c. People see members of out-groups in a less favorable light than members of their own in-group d. Ethnic and racial groups are the only widespread targets of prejudice in modern society
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
c. People see members of out-groups in a less favorable light than members of their own in-group.
Explanation:
This statement aligns with psychological and sociological research on in-group bias, which refers to the tendency of individuals to favor members of their own group over those in out-groups. This preference can manifest in various ways, such as stereotyping, favoritism, and discrimination.
According to social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), people categorize themselves and others into groups, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination. Individuals derive part of their self-esteem from their group memberships, making them more likely to view their group positively and perceive outsiders more critically. This bias can be seen in ethnic, racial, religious, political, and even sports-based group affiliations.
Why the Other Statements Are Incorrect:
- (a) Prejudice and discrimination amount to the same thing – This is false. Prejudice refers to attitudes and beliefs (which can be positive or negative), while discrimination is the behavior that arises from prejudice. Someone can hold a bias without acting on it.
- (b) Stereotypes are always negative or unflattering – This is false. Stereotypes can be positive, negative, or neutral. For example, the stereotype that Asians are good at math is positive, but it can still be limiting.
- (d) Ethnic and racial groups are the only widespread targets of prejudice – This is false. Prejudice also affects people based on gender, age, religion, disability, and even socioeconomic status.
Thus, option (c) is the most accurate statement, supported by extensive psychological research.
Now, I’ll generate an image related to in-group vs. out-group bias.
Here is the generated conceptual illustration of in-group vs. out-group bias. The image visually represents how people perceive members of their own group more favorably than those in an out-group. Let me know if you need any modifications or additional details!
