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Prejudice and discrimination reduction
It does not have to be a difficult chore to reduce our own prejudice or discrimination. You can follow some steps. First, start by being honest with yourself. Ask yourself questions about your socialization and what you have learned and gained from it. In this process, pay attention to any biases and ethnocentric perspectives, beliefs, and attitudes. Ask yourself what is causing you to think or act in this way. Second, pay attention to how you evaluate an out-group member's behavior. Ask yourself whether you are overgeneralizing or being biased in any way. Third, do not forget that your perceptions will be distorted by negative images of out-group members. Finally, do not let unfairness go by you without speaking out.
Improving our intercultural flexibility
This lesson has discussed our perceptions of others, ethnocentrism, stereotypes, prejudice, and racism. We can learn to reduce our stereotypes, prejudices, and racism by becoming more mindful and aware of our thoughts. First, we can approach others who are different with a clean slate. Do not bring your sets of stereotypes with you. Remember that people are individuals, and there is far more of the iceberg beneath the surface than above it. Second, use your brain to think carefully about your own thoughts and the thoughts and behaviors of others. Be open to multiple perspectives. In addition, you can continue to learn about those around you. Pay attention to your community and your world. Further, remember that none of us is perfect. Analyze your ethnocentric tendencies honestly and choose to be mindful in evaluating your own biases. Finally, pay attention to any inflexible stereotypes of out-group members. It is important to realize that you cannot not stereotype; just pay attention to your process of evaluating those in your in-group and out-groups.
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