Stigmatization (social disapproval), prejudice (misconceptions that you believe to be true about a person or group of people) and discrimination (behavior against a person or group of people based on certain prejudices) can lead to an environment full of tensions and mental health problems. Because those who are biased are forced to make more efforts to control their behavior, there is also a risk that biases about interactions between different ethnic groups compromise brain function. In order to completely break down one's prejudices and be able to fight them on a social level, it is necessary to commit to re-dimensioning and questioning one's preconceived ideas, increasing social contacts and addressing mistrust with the right balance.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Questioning Personal Bias
Step 1. Evaluate your prejudices
To fight your prejudices, you first need to know what they are. In social psychology, certain tools are used to evaluate implicit impressions and beliefs relating to diversity between individuals: they are called implicit association tests (IAT, English acronym for "Implicit Association Tests") and reveal the inherent prejudices towards certain categories of people.
You can take implicit association tests on any kind of subject, including sexuality, nationality and race. They can be found online
Step 2. Try to take responsibility
A prejudice is a kind of handicap of one's point of view, as it prevents one from going beyond certain assumptions and builds a virtual wall around objective reasoning. For example, your implicit and explicit attitudes towards individuals of various backgrounds herald how cordial you will be towards them (both through verbal and non-verbal communication).
Recognize your biases and replace them with more reasonable alternatives. For example, if you have a stereotypical idea of sex, religion, culture, or the concept of race (blondes are stupid, women are moody, and so on), be aware that you risk making generalizations by labeling a certain category of people
Step 3. Recognize the negative consequences of prejudice
You need to identify and understand the effects that prejudice can have on others if you want to reduce them. Being a victim of prejudice or discrimination can have serious mental health consequences.
- Prejudice and discrimination can cause people to lose self-esteem and increase depressive disorders, but they also create a bleak climate that discourages them from getting adequate medical care, finding decent work and housing, or continuing their studies.
- If you are faced with a situation where someone is biased towards you, remember that you may lose self-control.
- Don't forget that prejudice against others can have dire consequences.
Step 4. Don't condemn yourself
Some individuals may internalize certain stereotypes and prejudices. In these cases we speak of self-stigmatization, which occurs when a person has negative beliefs about himself. If it agrees with these beliefs (self-prejudice), it can lead to negative (self-discriminating) behaviors. An example would be to think that you are "crazy" just because you have a mood disorder.
Identify how you possibly stigmatize yourself and try to change those beliefs of yours. For example, instead of thinking that you are insane because you have been diagnosed with a mood disorder, try to consider that mental illness is normal and that many people suffer from it. It doesn't mean you're crazy
Part 2 of 3: Increase Social Contacts to Decrease Prejudice
Step 1. Surround yourself with various people
Diversity can also be a factor that allows you to better manage your prejudices. If you don't allow yourself the opportunity to get in touch with different races, cultures, sexual orientations and religious beliefs, you will never come to fully accept the differences that exist in the world. We can truly know someone when we stop judging and start listening and learning.
To realize the diversity that characterizes the world, try traveling to another country or even just to another city. Each small urban center has its own culture, its cuisine, its traditions and its activities. For example, people who live in cities can live differently from those who live in the countryside, just because the environment and the territory are different
Step 2. Surround yourself with people you admire
Get in touch with people who are different from you (from an ethnic, cultural, sexual, etc. point of view) towards whom you have esteem and admiration. In this way you will be able to change the negative implicit attitudes towards individuals who belong to different cultures.
- Even looking at pictures or reading books about people other than you and of whom you have a high regard, you have the possibility to unhinge the prejudices you have towards the group to which they belong (ethnic, religious, cultural, racial, sexual identity and so on.).
- Try reading an article or book written by someone who deviates from your reality.
Step 3. Avoid justifying clichés when interacting with others
A prejudice can arise when one tries to justify an already wrong idea through stigmatization and stereotypes. It happens where certain clichés are considered socially acceptable. All sorts of stereotypes come to everyone's ears, good and bad, such as: blondes are stupid, blacks are athletic, Asians are smart, Mexicans work hard, etc. While some seem positive, they can acquire a negative connotation when accompanied by prejudice. If you believe that in a category of people there are no differences, you could negatively judge all the subjects who are part of it when they do not correspond to your expectations, with the risk of discriminating them.
To avoid justifying stereotypes, you should question them every time you hear them, for example when a friend says, "Asians can't drive." Obviously this is a negative stereotype that can generate prejudices if the interlocutor is convinced that it reflects reality. Try to challenge this kind of cliché by saying, for example: "It is a negative stereotype that does not take into account the diversity between cultures and traditions"
Part 3 of 3: Confronting the Prejudice of Others
Step 1. Be open and accepted
Sometimes, when we feel threatened by prejudice and discrimination, we want to isolate ourselves from the whole world so as not to be hurt anymore. The desire to hide and disguise one's identity can be a defense, but it also risks increasing stress and exacerbating negative reactions to prejudices.
- Get to know and accept yourself, regardless of what others may think of you.
- Identify people you can confide in and be more open to them.
Step 2. Join a group
Group solidarity can help people cope with prejudice and prevent mental health problems.
Any type of group will work, but it is best to choose one that reflects your way of being (for example, an all-women association, an LGBT group consisting of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people, a group of African origin or that brings together believers of the same faith). The sense of sharing will allow you to develop a great fortitude in the face of prejudices (you will be less nervous or depressed and you will have greater control of yourself)
Step 3. Seek family support
If you are a victim of prejudice or discrimination, social support is essential to deal with these kinds of problems and to recover emotionally. Family support can reduce the deleterious effects of prejudice on psychological well-being.
Talk to a family member or close friend about the injustices you are experiencing
Step 4. Expect a positive or intermediate result
If you have been a victim of prejudice or discrimination in the past, it is understandable that you have become cautious and suspicious in order not to run the risk of finding yourself in similar situations again. However, by thinking that others are prejudiced against you or that they will act in a certain way, you risk stressing yourself even more.
- Don't expect to be rejected. Try to consider each situation and interaction as a new experience.
- By convincing yourself that people are being biased towards you, you may be feeding another form of prejudice. Try not to generalize and label others in a certain way (considering them closed in their preconceptions, too critical or racist). Remember that if you give a rash judgment about people and think they are badly disposed, you risk thinking along side.
Step 5. Deal with the situation in a healthy and creative way
Some people may have the wrong ways of coping with prejudice, behaving aggressively or making unnecessary provocations. To deal with prejudice, instead of sacrificing your values, find solutions that allow you to express or process how you feel about unfounded opinions.
Express yourself through art, writing, dance, music, acting or any other creative activity
Step 6. Get involved
If you are actively committed to dismantling prejudices, you have a chance to improve the situation.
- One solution is to become a lawyer or volunteer with an association that fights against prejudice and discrimination.
- If you don't have the opportunity to volunteer with an organized group, you may want to donate money or consumer goods. Many homeless shelters accept canned food, clothing, and other types of supplies.
