Dissociation Model Of Prejudice
Definition:
The Dissociation Model of Prejudice is a psychological theory that explains prejudice as the result of two distinct cognitive processes: explicit and implicit attitudes. It proposes that individuals may hold explicit beliefs and attitudes that are consciously accessible and controllable, but also possess implicit biases and stereotypes that operate unconsciously and automatically.
Explicit Attitudes
Definition:
Explicit attitudes are conscious beliefs and attitudes that individuals are aware of and can easily express. These attitudes can be measured through self-report measures and are influenced by an individual’s socialization, upbringing, and personal experiences. Explicit attitudes are subject to conscious control and are typically endorsed when individuals are aware of societal norms and values.
Characteristics:
- Consciously accessible and controllable.
- Influenced by socialization, upbringing, and personal experiences.
- Measured through self-report measures.
- Subject to conscious control.
- Typically endorsed when individuals are aware of societal norms and values.
Implicit Attitudes
Definition:
Implicit attitudes are unconscious biases and stereotypes that individuals may hold without being aware of them. These attitudes are activated automatically and operate quickly, making them difficult to control or modify consciously. Implicit attitudes are shaped by societal factors, such as media, cultural influences, and implicit socialization processes.
Characteristics:
- Unconscious biases and stereotypes.
- Activated automatically and operate quickly.
- Difficult to control or modify consciously.
- Shaped by societal factors, such as media, cultural influences, and implicit socialization processes.
Interaction and Impact
Definition:
The Dissociation Model of Prejudice proposes that explicit and implicit attitudes can sometimes be incongruent, leading to inconsistencies in behavior. While individuals may consciously support egalitarian values and express non-prejudiced beliefs, their implicit biases may still influence their perception, judgment, and actions. This model highlights the importance of addressing implicit biases, as they can have significant effects on individual behavior and contribute to systemic prejudice and discrimination in society.
Key Points:
- Explicit and implicit attitudes can be incongruent.
- Implicit biases influence perception, judgment, and actions.
- Importance of addressing implicit biases to combat prejudice and discrimination.