Power & Discrimination

1
Power Discrimination
2
Overview

• Definition of Power
• Two types of power.
• Definition of Prejudice
• Definition of Discrimination
• Relationship between Prejudice Discrimination
• 5 Levels of Acting Out Prejudice

3
Power Discrimination

• Power
• The ability or official capacity to act or
  perform effectively or the ability to get others
  to do what one wants them to do. (Webster)
• Two Types of Power
• Formal Power- A function of position, rank or
  status.
• Informal or Personal Power- Chiefly a function of
  ability, personality or association.

4
Power Discrimination

• Prejudice
• A negative attitude or feeling toward certain
  groups based on faulty, inflexible
  generalizations. Any preconceived opinion or
  feeling, favorable or unfavorable toward certain
  groups.
• Discrimination
• The use of power to convert prejudice into
  action. The actions/practices by members of
  dominant groups which have a harmful impact on
  members of subordinate groups.

5
Power Discrimination

• Relationship between Prejudice Discrimination
• Prejudice is an ATTITUDE and Discrimination is an
  ACTION.
• IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE PREJUDICED AND NOT
  DISCRIMINATE?

YES
6
THE LANGUAGE OF PREJUDICE

• Phrases of Color White is pure - black is evil
• Testimonial Trying to prove a lack of prejudice
• Disparagement Bad mouthing another group to gain
  trust
• Stereotype Language Categorizing or grouping
• Caricatures Overemphasize a character of their
  features
• Ethnic Jokes A minority isnt always the butt of
  a joke
• Slips Supposed to be considered accidental
• Epithets Intentional derogatory remarks

7
Power Discrimination

• 5 Levels of Acting Out Prejudice
• Antilocution- Bad mouthing, disparaging comments,
  jokes, cartoons, stereotypical language, etc.
  May be verbal or non-verbal.
• Avoidance- If the prejudice is more intense it
  leads the individual to actively avoid members of
  the disliked group.
• Discrimination- Actively making distinctions and
  choices which have an adverse impact on members
  of one group.

8
Power Discrimination

• 5 Levels of Acting Out Prejudice (cont.)
• Physical Attack- As the emotional level of
  prejudice intensifies, acts of violence become
  more probable.
• Extermination- The ultimate degree of violent
  expression of prejudice.

9
Summary

• Definition of Power
• Two types of power.
• Definition of Prejudice
• Definition of Discrimination
• Relationship between Prejudice Discrimination
• 5 Levels of Acting Out Prejudice

10

• QUESTIONS?