Is prejudice programmed?
 

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. :o

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.

I would say it is more learned than programed.

We wouldn't know the difference unless we are told. We are brought up observing and listening to other people's opionions & judgements. We gather from that our own.
If every person would realize we are all the same underneath it all, and our differences keep this world turning. The predjudice against these differences is what kills.
Yes, programmed- brainwashed, perhaps, is a more descriptive term. Because we (speaking of some people, not all) don't even stop to think about it. It's been planted into our brains from Day One.

A particular prejudice isn't, but prejudice its self is. It can be overcome.

You've probably felt that way towards the one with the southern accent becuase you are human. Yes, people can be ignorant at times, some more often than others, but it's probably a natural biological instinct to fear what is different, to be weary of what is alien to us. It's a survival mechanism. What humans do have, however, is the ability to reason. When we really think about why we don't like certain people, we see how silly we're being. . .and this is good.

I would have to say that it is learned. over the past few years, I hate to say, I have noticed that I have picked up an adversion to some people. It's not a good thing, but, repeatedly being exposed to some of the less desierable of one roup has soured my thinking for them all. First meetings I find myself thinking negative just because of there group. I try not to, but it's hard to get out of the habbit once you start.

I'd say it's a combination. Specific prejudices are learned, but the general inclination to favor those who are more similar to you is instinctual. In nature, tigers mate with tigers, sparrows with sparrows, and so on, even though those animals are physically or even genetically compatible with numerous other species.

Prejudice is learned from the earilest ages. We inherit most of our beliefs from our parents, and assume that one thing is better than another because that is the way it is at home or in society. Prejudice is a learned behaviour in that is it programmed before we ever realize what is happening. There is no way to completely eliminate prejudice because no matter how open minded we are, we still carry those thoughts and impulses that we pick up everywhere.