Psychologists & prejudice Essay

According to Dollards et al (1939) frustration-aggression hypothesis aggression that cannot be expressed promptly at the source of frustration can be displaced unto a representation of the source (scapegoat), leading to bias and prejudice. Unlike the previous cases which have their line of descents in neighborly learning or social identity this form of prejudice is borne out of the clangoral component of social interaction. A solution is therefore to reduce this friction as much as possible.The apartheid era in South Africa did recognise the problem of cultural friction and sought to address it by separating black from white. However, the disengagement was not fair favouring white (supremacy) over black. This in effect only amounted to replacing one source of friction and frustration with another.Typically, social frustrations are associate to exogenous economic conditions where the contrast between the rich and poor is clearly sharpened. The challenge for any government to imp lement a solution to such frustrations whitethorn be simply be too difficult, or not at all practical.Germany in the late 1930s and early forties provides a faithful example of national frustration followed by an explosion of national prejudice and aggression. The application of the solution shaped the history of the 20th century. By understanding the origin and causes of prejudice, psychologists are able to propose methods and conditions that can lead to a reduction of prejudice. However, economic factors, social learning, and identity beliefs based on religion or civilisation may mean that any attempt to remove prejudice from free society will be met with limited success.