Document Type
Honors Project
First Advisor
Dr. Randy Young
Degree Award Date
Spring 2013
Keywords
prejudice, socialization, biases, stereotypes, learned responses, comedy, stand-up comics, reconciliation, forgiveness
Disciplines
Psychology | Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Interaction | Sociology
Abstract
Studies on prejudice have revealed the importance of socialization on the formation of biases and stereotypes (Katz, 1991), requiring marked effort on the part of the individual to overcome such learned responses (Devine, 2001). Research on reconciliation and forgiveness (Tavuchis, 1993) has shown that the amount of responsibility attributed to the offender and the offender's effort to make a change influence participants' perceptions of bigotry and prejudice in that offender. Participants assessed two scenarios involving two stand-up comics using politically incorrect language. By manipulating the offenders' (comics') background and the video seen, levels of hope and forgiveness for the offender were measured.
Recommended Citation
Cash, Rebecca A., "Biased Backgrounds and Appeals for Tolerance: Factors Shaping Our Perceptions of Prejudice" (2013). Honors Projects. 68.
https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/honors_projects/68