Learning the Difference: Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

The terms “stereotype,” “prejudice,” and “discrimination” often get thrown around interchangeably in movements and conversations around social justice. Although each of these concepts embody very real forms of harm that take place in our present world, it’s important to recognize each one’s unique definition, impacts, and real-world examples. 

A stereotype is an assumption about an individual based solely on their membership in a certain group, regardless of the individual’s true characteristics. Stereotypes can be either positive or negative, but are harmful nevertheless due to the fact that they put labels on a whole population of people and, in turn, can rob people of their individuality. Stereotypes can affect how a group of people is treated, as well as influence how members of a group view themselves; generalizations can evoke internalized racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. Although stereotypes exist for almost every identifier, here are some examples of common racial stereotypes. 1) All Asian Americans are very intelligent and academically successful. They excel in math and have mastery in a classical instrument such as the piano or violin. 2) All Black people are aggressive, violent, and dangerous. I wonder if the people who believe in these stereotypes have personally encountered all Asian and Black Americans... Hmmm....

Prejudice is a negative attitude or belief toward a person or group on the basis of preconceived stereotypes. Someone can absorb certain stereotypes to such a high degree that they develop a generally unfavorable outlook on an entire group of people. Prejudice can take on a couple of different forms: implicit and explicit. Implicit prejudice is when someone possesses automatic or unconscious negative feelings towards a marginalized group, while explicit prejudice implies that someone openly admits or expresses those feelings. An example of prejudice is disliking or disapproving of all people with ambiguous or androgynous gender identities. 

Discrimination is a negative action toward someone driven by prejudiced beliefs. While stereotypes and prejudices are kinds of assumptions and attitudes, respectively, discrimination consists of acting on those innate beliefs. Discrimination can also extend to institutions and social systems. Institutional discrimination is when practices within a system offer differential treatment for minorities and marginalized groups. For example, Black Americans have a lower life expectancy, higher risk for cardiac issues, and higher rates of mental illness than other racial groups, and the LGBTQ+ community has an exceptionally high suicide rate. These facts can be traced back to factors such as healthcare professionals treating Black patients with less care and attention, or a lack of effective mental health programming for LGBTQ+ youth, both examples of discrimination within larger institutions. 

Now that we’ve established what stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are, it’s important to consider the everyday effects they have on people of all backgrounds, ages, and locations around the world. Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination can impact both one’s mental and physical health. Experiencing any of these forms of harm can result in lowered self-esteem, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), feelings of loneliness and isolation, trust issues, and even trouble sleeping. 

Because all different kinds of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination are so deeply ingrained in the minds, institutions, and systems of our world, it’s extremely difficult to come up with concrete and effective ways to go about erasing them from society. Although it’s certainly not a change that can happen overnight, here are some steps you can take to be a part of the movement to reduce hatred. 

1. Increase your exposure to people whose backgrounds and identifiers differ from yours. Actively listen to their stories in order to gain an accurate understanding of their character and experiences. 

2. Take what you see in the media with a grain of salt. Representation of certain groups online and in TV shows and movies can often be lacking, misinformed, and inaccurate. Make sure that you’re consuming media that does the people it’s portraying justice. 

3. Don’t be afraid to (respectfully) call out your friends and family if you see them speaking or behaving in ways that exhibit stereotypes, prejudice, and/or discrimination. One of the most effective methods of starting the chain reaction of reducing hate is challenging the perspectives of the people closest to you. 

Happy changing the world! :)