Explain why acts of discriminatory behavior continue in our society despite the implementation of various mechanisms to deal with it?

Question: Explain why acts of discriminatory behavior continue in our society despite the implementation of various mechanisms to deal with it?

Title: Discrimination Persists in Society—but Who Discriminates?

 Introduction:

Discrimination continues to persist in our society, even though various mechanisms have been put in place to address it. This paradox raises important questions about the nature of discriminatory behavior and its underlying causes. In this blog post, we will explore why acts of discriminatory behavior persist despite efforts to combat them.

The Dispersed Discrimination Account: Implicit Biases and Subtle Acts of Discrimination

One hypothesis proposed by scientists is the dispersed discrimination account. According to this view, most people—even those who hold strong egalitarian beliefs—regularly engage in subtle but still harmful acts of discrimination, often without being fully aware of it. These acts may be driven by implicit biases, which are unconscious associations or stereotypes that influence our behavior.

For instance, consider a scenario where a job applicant with an ethnic-sounding name receives less favorable treatment during an interview compared to an applicant with a more typical name. The interviewer may not consciously intend to discriminate, but their implicit biases can lead them to behave differently toward the two candidates. These subtle acts of discrimination accumulate over time and contribute to the persistence of discriminatory behavior.

 The Concentrated Discrimination Account: Bad Actors and Explicit Bias

The concentrated discrimination account, on the other hand, suggests that a numerical minority of “bad actors” are responsible for most discriminatory acts. These individuals hold highly and explicitly biased views and engage in discriminatory behavior intentionally. Unlike the dispersed discrimination account, which emphasizes implicit biases, this perspective highlights the role of conscious prejudice.

Research conducted by social psychologists Mitchell Campbell and Markus Brauer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison supports the concentrated discrimination account. Their study involved surveying over 16,600 students and conducting field experiments on campus. The results overwhelmingly favored the view that explicit bias plays a significant role in discriminatory conduct.

Implications for Combating Discrimination: Targeted Interventions

Understanding whether implicit or explicit bias drives discriminatory behavior has practical implications for addressing discrimination in various settings—businesses, universities, the military, and other organizations.

1. Implicit Bias Training: If the dispersed discrimination account holds true, then everyone within an organization should undergo training to reduce implicit bias. By raising awareness and promoting self-reflection, such training aims to mitigate unconscious biases.

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