What is racism, prejudice and discrimination?

The terms stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, and racism are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. Let us explore the differences between these concepts. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about groups of people. read more

Culture, Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination Summary and Keywords Prejudice is a broad social phenomenon and area of research, complicated by the fact that intolerance exists in internal cognitions but is manifest in symbol usage (verbal, nonverbal, mediated), law and policy, and social and organizational practice. read more

While some forms of prejudice are racial or racist in nature, not all forms foster economic and social inequality, which is where the power of racism lies. While some forms of prejudice are racial or racist in nature, not all forms foster economic and social inequality, which is where the power of racism lies. read more

The origin of prejudice lies outside a person's real experience, the OpenStax textbook states. Laws can help prevent discrimination, but sociological theory notes that laws cannot abolish discrimination or the prejudice on which it is often based, due to the social factors and mechanics at play. read more