Discrimination
Discriminationis a set of actions based on prejudice and stereotypes. They often, but
need not, negatively affect the group in question. For instance, if I believe that Asians
are academically gifted, I may ask Asian students more questions in class, assign
them more difficult projects, or grade their papers more leniently, giving them the
“benefit of the doubt.” But I may also be especially aware of an Asian student who
is disruptive in class.
Some acts of discrimination are responses to specific stereotypes, like vigilance
in response to the stereotype of violence, but more often discrimination occurs as gen-
eral negative treatment. A waiter or waitress may exercise discrimination against
minority customers by waiting on nonminority customers first, rushing them out when
they have finished eating, or behaving in an unfriendly or hostile manner. Of course,
the victims never know for sure if they are facing discrimination or just bad service.
Minority students who get low grades on tests might suspect that the professor is dis-
criminating, but they will never know for sure unless they do some detective work
and uncover a pattern of low grades for minority students.
Prejudice and discrimination are not always causally connected. I can be prej-
udiced but not discriminate, if none of my friends is discriminating and I don’t want
to appear different or do something socially unacceptable. Or I can discriminate
without being prejudiced, if all of my friends are discriminating, if I believe that it
is “the thing to do.” Studies show that many of the perpetrators of hate crimes are
no more prejudiced than those who do not commit hate crimes: They are just “going
along for the ride” (Boyd, Berk, and Hamner, 1996; Craig and Waldo, 1996;
Morsch, 1991). Sociologist Robert Merton divided prejudice and discrimination
into four categories:
1.All-weather bigotsare prejudiced against some minority groups, and they discrim-
inate against group members. If they do not discriminate in certain social situa-
tions, it is because they do not care to, not because they are worried about losing
face. They may even take pride in their prejudice. They might tell a racist joke,
for instance, even if they know that the people around them will disapprove, to
demonstrate their “heroic” refusal to be swayed by politically correct tolerance.2.Fair-weather bigotsare prejudiced against some minority groups, but they do not
discriminate when there may be negative consequences. This category includes
most prejudiced people: They may dislike minorities, but they will not show it
when they have something to lose. They will tell a racist joke only when they are
sure they will receive a positive reaction.3.Fair-weather liberalsare not prejudiced, but they do discriminate when it is
profitable for them to do so. They will not tell a racist joke, but they may laugh
at one to avoid being embarrassed or starting an argument.4.All-weather liberalsare not prejudiced and do not discriminate. They adhere to
the American ideal of equal opportunity for all, regardless of the situation. They
will not tell a racist joke or respond favorably to one. (Merton, 1949)This typology assumes that prejudice is a quality that you have—you are either
prejudiced or not—and that discrimination consists of specific, deliberate acts.
However, there is a great degree of variation in prejudice and discrimination. Many
people who would never dream of telling or laughing at a racist joke, and who fully
support equal rights for minorities, still harbor prejudices—they believe, perhaps
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