is it difficult to accurately measure prejudice?
5 answers
No.
Well wait- ACCURATELY? I don't really understand the question. If you are measuring on the good/bad scale, any amount of predjudice is not good. But if you are measuring more sprecifically, or accurately, I don't know.
http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/socialpsychology/section2.rhtml
"Measuring Prejudice
Researchers find it difficult to measure prejudice. One reason for this is that people differ in the type and extent of prejudice they harbor. For example, a person who makes demeaning comments about a particular ethnic group may be bigoted or just ignorant. Also, people often do not admit to being prejudiced.
People may often have implicit unconscious prejudices even when they do not have explicit prejudices. Researchers assess implicit prejudice in three ways:
Some researchers assess attitudes that suggest prejudice, such as a strong emotional objection to affirmative action.
Some researchers observe behavior rather than assess attitudes. People’s behavior in stressful situations may be particularly useful at revealing implicit prejudice.
Some researchers assess the unconscious associations people have about particular groups. "
"Measuring Prejudice
Researchers find it difficult to measure prejudice. One reason for this is that people differ in the type and extent of prejudice they harbor. For example, a person who makes demeaning comments about a particular ethnic group may be bigoted or just ignorant. Also, people often do not admit to being prejudiced.
People may often have implicit unconscious prejudices even when they do not have explicit prejudices. Researchers assess implicit prejudice in three ways:
Some researchers assess attitudes that suggest prejudice, such as a strong emotional objection to affirmative action.
Some researchers observe behavior rather than assess attitudes. People’s behavior in stressful situations may be particularly useful at revealing implicit prejudice.
Some researchers assess the unconscious associations people have about particular groups. "
In your opinion, is it difficult to accurately measure prejudice? Why or why not?
It is my opinion that it is difficult to measure prejudice within the terms of accuracy. I contend that the IAT (automatic responses) testing and similar methods of study may not accurately depict an individual’s truest form. Through conscious and unconscious actions, individuals have the capability of deemphasizing their truest personal prejudices and characteristics. Additionally, among other factors, outside pressures, anxiety and an individual’s desire of to remain within the “political norms” of society may all adversely contribute the outcome of such personal prejudice tests or surveys. While a person may be tested as being non- prejudicial or assert he or she is non-prejudicial, his or her true nature may be revealed in the form of implicit acts e.g., sitting away from someone while on a bus and avoiding eye contact. Thus, I reiterate, it is my personal opinion that prejudice cannot be measured accurately.
3 answers