I was watching TV today and caught myself in a shortcoming of the mind. A reporter for Fox news channel was doing a remote gig and was speaking in a thick southern accent. Well, as much as I hate to admit it, it sparked an inner prejudice that I currently hold. It pains me to say being a southern boy and all...well, southern accents just don't sound too rightly smart. It was a quick thought but it was there nonetheless. I completely characterized her as a dimwit in about the time it takes me to mouseclick. It probably has to do with the fact you don't hear many southern public speakers, but it's really no excuse. I have disowned myself for that and have made an effort to be conscience of it in the future.
Well, that of course got me thinking about the function of prejudice and why we have it. I'm not just speaking racial lines here. I'm talking dress, mannerisms, accents, the whole nine yards. Does it have a function? Have we corrupted a natural time saving device and merely let it dissolve into an automatic hatred button for anyone who has ever cut us off in traffic?
My personal belief is that it started as an essential survival function. That is, group things together that appeal, as well as the things that are dangerous. I think the actual brain function that programs the prejudicial thoughts also is in charge of the strong arm tactic of grouping insects that are red and yellow, as well as the "tastes bad-can't be good" phenomena. It's fast. It doesn't require too much of the old bean in tight timeframes, etc.
All peoples classify things. It's how we maintain our sanity. The brain is a repository of shortcuts. It's naturally lazy.
The question looms however...how does anyone NOT develop these tendencies. I have worked a great deal in my life to always question the motives; both in myself and the person I'm interacting with. I found this to be a great help in not rushing to conclusions. However, this is the work of a mind that DOES analyze itself once in a while.
So, how can we not develop the negative prejudicial qualities?
And as a side note: Is this a good system gone bad or...merely the training of a society steeped in the mistrust of the different?
Thoughts please.