The Nature of Prejudice

Where does prejudice come from? Arne Roets and Alain Van Hiel of Ghent University in Belgium look at what psychological scientists have learned about prejudice since the 1954. People who are prejudiced feel a much stronger need to make quick and firm judgments and decisions in order to reduce ambiguity. "Of course, everyone has to make decisions, but some people really hate uncertainty and therefore quickly rely on the most obvious information, often the first information they come across, to reduce it" Roets says. That's also why they favor authorities and social norms which make it easier to make decisions. Then, once they've made up their mind, they stick to it. "If you provide information that contradicts their decision, they just ignore it."  This way of thinking is analogous to a need to categorize the world.  Social categories for these people are useful in a reduction of certain complexities.  The positive is that positive influence from one person is transitive and can be extended to entire groups.  Roet's conclusion is that the fundamental source of prejudice is not ideology but a basic human need for quick answers.