Expressions of Prejudice
Prejudice expresses itself in a variety of ways, some subtle and indirect, and others
overt, direct, and blatant. Over sixty years ago Harvard University Professor Gordon
Allport’s work revealed five escalating levels of prejudice.^32 That scale maintains its
relevancy today and continues to be cited by contemporary scholars. We discuss the
five levels below:
1.Antilocution: Allport uses the term“antilocution”to refer to negative verbal com-
ments about a person or group. These discriminatory remarks can take a variety of
forms, such as an ethnic joke or a stereotypical characterization like“Asians are
bad drivers.”Another example is the statement“Don’t give the homeless people
money because they just spend it on dope or alcohol,”which attributes negative
behaviors to an entire group. Antilocution can also be seen in the use of racial or
ethnic slurs, such as“Mick”(Irish),“Gook”(Asian),“Kraut”(German),“Dago”
(Italian), and others.
2.Avoidance: The next level of prejudice occurs when a person(s) physically avoids or
withdraws from contact with a disliked group. Not attending a Cinco de Mayo fes-
tival because there will be Mexicans present is an example of avoidance.
3.Discrimination: Prejudice at this level is represented by efforts to exclude all mem-
bers of a group from access to opportunity, institutions, services, and other forms of
social life. When a company promotes a less qualified man instead of a more com-
petent woman, you have discrimination. Denying a group access to a country club
based on their ethnicity, gender, or religion is another form. Discrimination often
combines ethnocentrism, stereotyping, and prejudice in a form of extremism that
obstructs any type of successful intercultural communication.
4.Physical Attacks: At this stage, prejudice becomes so intense that it is acted out by
physical aggression against another group or their property. Painting the swastikaBeing motivated to
communicate with
people different from
yourself is perhaps the
first step in over-
coming stereotyping,
prejudice, racism, and
the misuse of power.
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