Acceptability of Prejudice Activity
Participants will decide whether it is okay or not okay to be prejudiced against certain groups. They will then discuss why some prejudices are acceptable and others are not. The activity was adapted from Crandall, Eshleman, and O'Brien (2002).
Objective
The objective of this activity is to help people better understand their own prejudices and to consider why some prejudices are acceptable and others are not.
Estimated Time
Session One: 10 minutes
Session Two: 20-25 minutes
Group Size
Any size works, but smaller groups of 5-7 people are ideal.
Instructions
This activity works best if completed in two class sessions. In Session One (which could be presented online), students complete the Acceptability of Prejudice Measure (adapted from Crandall, Eshleman, & O'Brien, 2002). The instructor can then compile the ratings for the second session (see below). During Session Two, participants discuss their findings. If only one session is possible, participants can compare their own atings (to each other or to those found by Crandall et al.) in small discussion groups.
To complete this measure, participants check the box that they believe best describes how acceptable it is to have negative feelings toward each of these social groups (e.g., rapists, drug users, male nurses). Be sure to explain that there are no right or wrong answers and that participants should just state their honest opinion.
In preparation for Session Two, enter the data into an Excel file. Sort the responses on column 1, 2, or 3. (depending on whether you want to focus on which prejudices are most or which are least acceptable). Discussion focuses on the broad groups; the fine distinctions are less important.
For Session Two, bring a rank-ordered list prejudices (e.g., most acceptable to the least acceptable) and present it to the group. You might also provide the percentage of students that checked "acceptable to have negative feelings." Ask students to discuss the provided questions (see below). Ask students to reflect on whether they results fit with the authors' assertion that people "closely adhere to social norms when expressing prejudice, evaluating scenarios of discrimination, and reacting to hostile jokes" (Crandall et al., 2002, p. 359). You can also present results from Crandall et al.; one summary is provided below. Respondents are sometimes surprised about which groups are rated negatively. Be sure to remind them that these are their ratings and are not based on "dated" findings or ratings of a more prejudiced group.
