The Behavioural And Cognitive Approach To Racism
Introduction
One of the major issues facing today’s world is racism. Racism has existed throughout human history and it still does, yet not many people are aware of this. This essay seeks to discuss racism in different worldviews (including mine) and the need for reconciliation in this regard. Since it can be defined in many ways we first need to understand what is meant by racism.
What is Racism?
In his attempt of defining racism, Schmid considers all three approaches, namely the behavioural, motivational and cognitive approach to racism.
Behavioural approach
To define racism in a behavioural approach, Schmid quotes Peter Singer who said that racism is ‘the failure to give equal consideration based on the fact of race alone.’
This kind of prejudice is based on a feature of human nature. It is considered ‘normal’ and about what one would ‘expect’ from people hence it is not in itself immoral. …show more content…
It refers to racism as ‘the infliction of unequal consideration, motivated by the desire to dominate, based on race alone.’
Cognitive approach
From a cognitive approach, racism is defined as ‘unequal consideration, out of a belief in the inferiority of another race.’
In my view, racism refers to the hatred of one person by another or the belief held by one person about another as being less than human because of their skin colour, customs, language etc. It is for this reason that I agree with Schmid when he says that the best approach to understanding the concept of racism is through the motivational approach as I believe my definition is similar to the one given in terms of this approach.
What is the main causes for racism?
I would like to believe that no one is born a racist. There are many reasons behind why a person becomes racist but I will only draw attention to one as I believe it is the most common reason – Upbringing.
One of the major issues facing today’s world is racism. Racism has existed throughout human history and it still does, yet not many people are aware of this. This essay seeks to discuss racism in different worldviews (including mine) and the need for reconciliation in this regard. Since it can be defined in many ways we first need to understand what is meant by racism.
What is Racism?
In his attempt of defining racism, Schmid considers all three approaches, namely the behavioural, motivational and cognitive approach to racism.
Behavioural approach
To define racism in a behavioural approach, Schmid quotes Peter Singer who said that racism is ‘the failure to give equal consideration based on the fact of race alone.’
This kind of prejudice is based on a feature of human nature. It is considered ‘normal’ and about what one would ‘expect’ from people hence it is not in itself immoral. …show more content…
It refers to racism as ‘the infliction of unequal consideration, motivated by the desire to dominate, based on race alone.’
Cognitive approach
From a cognitive approach, racism is defined as ‘unequal consideration, out of a belief in the inferiority of another race.’
In my view, racism refers to the hatred of one person by another or the belief held by one person about another as being less than human because of their skin colour, customs, language etc. It is for this reason that I agree with Schmid when he says that the best approach to understanding the concept of racism is through the motivational approach as I believe my definition is similar to the one given in terms of this approach.
What is the main causes for racism?
I would like to believe that no one is born a racist. There are many reasons behind why a person becomes racist but I will only draw attention to one as I believe it is the most common reason – Upbringing.