Which one of the following strategies is not effective in dealing with prejudice?
Show Hint
For questions asking what is "NOT" effective, look for the option that either makes no sense or would actively make the problem worse. A self-fulfilling prophecy is always a negative cycle, so encouraging it would be the wrong approach.
Encouraging the tendency towards self-fulfilling prophecy among the victims of prejudice
Changing discriminatory attitudes
De-emphasising a narrow social identity based on the ingroup
Show Solution
The Correct Option isB
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Concept Identification:
The query seeks a strategy that would fail or be detrimental in reducing prejudice. In this context, a self-fulfilling prophecy describes a scenario where a prejudice victim internalizes negative stereotypes and acts in ways that validate these stereotypes, thus reinforcing the prejudiced person's beliefs.
Step 2: Detailed Analysis:
Let's evaluate the effectiveness of each proposed strategy:
Minimising opportunities for prejudice acquisition: This is an effective preventive measure, as prejudice is often learned through socialization.
Promoting the self-fulfilling prophecy: This approach would be highly counterproductive. Encouraging victims to adhere to negative stereotypes would amplify and perpetuate prejudice, not diminish it. This is demonstrably an ineffective and harmful strategy.
Altering discriminatory attitudes: This is a fundamental objective of prejudice reduction efforts and is an effective strategy.
De-emphasising narrow social identities: This is an effective strategy. Fostering a broader group identity (e.g., identifying as "human" rather than exclusively as part of an in-group) can mitigate intergroup conflict and prejudice.
Step 3: Conclusion:
The strategy that is ineffective and detrimental is Promoting the self-fulfilling prophecy among prejudice victims.