Posted: July 20th, 2023

Understanding Responses to Prejudiced Comments

Psych Week 8 Dq 1. PREJUDICE
People often use jokes to test the boundaries of what is considered offensive. Under the guise of humor, the joke teller can attempt to minimize any offense taken by defending the humor as “just a joke.”

Clearly, an attempt to belittle or demean others as a form of humor is distasteful. And in every culture, one can encounter humor that, to be understood, relies on prejudice—whether that prejudice be about race, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. What others might find funny, some find tasteless and indefensible. Simply because an offensive statement is clothed as a joke does not make the joke funny nor does it mean that the joke teller cannot be confronted by someone who finds the comment offensive or inappropriate. Even so, confronting someone about an inappropriate joke can present a social risk; the person being called out is likely to feel defensive and retaliate against whomever exposed them.

For this Discussion, you will draw on your own experience and social psychology theory to examine responses to prejudiced comments.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.). (2019). Social psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 13, “Prejudice: Causes, Consequences, and Cures”
Note: Viewing media and interactives embedded in the electronic version of this course text is not required for this course.
Daalmans, S., Kleemans, M., & Sadza, A. (2017). Gender representation on gender-targeted television channels: A comparison of female- and male-targeted tv channels in the Netherlands. Sex RolesLinks to an external site., 77(5–6), 366–378. doi:10.1007/s11199-016-0727-6
Jang, I. J., & Cordero-Pedrosa, C. (2016). To laugh or not to laugh at racist jokes. Peace ReviewLinks to an external site., 28(4), 474–481.doi:10.1080/10402659.2016.1237116
Larsen, G. (2017). It’s a man’s world: Music groupies and the othering of women in the world of rock. OrganizationLinks to an external site., 24(3), 397–417. doi:10.1177/1350508416689095
TO PREPARE
Review the Learning Resources for this week and think about how social psychology theory and research explains the responses that people have when they hear prejudiced comments.
Recall a time when you have been present when someone made a racist comment or “joke,” and no one confronted the joke teller.
BY DAY 4
Post a time when you have been present when someone made a prejudiced “joke” or comment, and no one confronted the joke teller. Were you offended by the joke? How can a decision to stay mute be explained by social psychology theory?

BY DAY 6
Respond to at least two colleagues’ posts and use social psychology theory to explain what would lead someone to confront the person who made the offensive comment or joke, when doing so may likely make them the target of the joke teller’s retaliation.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the social psychology theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or Internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your post and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.

Understanding Responses to Prejudiced Comments: A Social Psychology Perspective

Introduction

In various social settings, individuals encounter humor that may rely on prejudice related to race, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. These prejudiced comments, disguised as jokes, often test the boundaries of what is considered offensive. While some find such humor tasteless and indefensible, others may defend it as merely “a joke.” Confronting someone about an inappropriate joke can be socially risky, as the person being called out may respond defensively and retaliate against the accuser. This article explores social psychology theory and research to examine responses to prejudiced comments, shedding light on why some individuals choose to remain silent when encountering such humor.

The Impact of Prejudiced Jokes on Offense

Recalling a time when one has been present when someone made a prejudiced “joke” or comment and no one confronted the joke teller can evoke mixed emotions. The offensive nature of such jokes can trigger feelings of hurt, anger, and discomfort, particularly if the content targets one’s identity or community. While some individuals may be offended, others might not perceive the joke as harmful, reflecting the complexity of human responses to humor and prejudice.

Social Psychology Theory and Silence

Social psychology theory can help explain why some individuals choose to remain mute in the face of prejudiced comments. One relevant concept is the bystander effect, which posits that individuals are less likely to intervene or confront a negative situation when there are more people present. In the context of prejudiced jokes, bystanders may feel less responsible to address the issue if others are also present and remaining silent. They may believe that someone else will speak up or may fear social repercussions for being the only one to confront the joke teller.

Additionally, social identity theory may come into play, where individuals identify with certain social groups and derive part of their self-esteem from that affiliation. In situations where prejudiced jokes target a particular group, individuals from that group may fear exposing themselves to further ridicule or marginalization if they confront the joke teller. This fear of negative consequences can deter them from speaking out.

Moreover, conformity pressures may influence a person’s decision to stay silent. Conformity refers to the tendency to adjust one’s behavior or beliefs to align with those of a group. When faced with prejudiced humor, individuals may choose not to confront the joke teller to avoid standing out or being perceived as overly sensitive, thus conforming to the group’s behavior of tolerating such jokes.

The Role of Empathy and Perspective-Taking

Empathy and perspective-taking can also impact how individuals respond to prejudiced jokes. People who possess high levels of empathy may be more inclined to speak up when they witness offensive comments, as they can better understand the emotional impact of such humor on others. Conversely, those lacking in empathy may struggle to recognize the harmful effects and may be less likely to confront the joke teller.

Furthermore, perspective-taking, the ability to see situations from another person’s viewpoint, can influence responses to prejudice. If individuals can put themselves in the shoes of the target group and understand the potential harm caused by the joke, they may be more motivated to intervene and address the issue.

Conclusion

In conclusion, responses to prejudiced comments are influenced by a complex interplay of social psychology factors. The decision to remain silent when confronted with prejudiced jokes can be explained by concepts such as the bystander effect, social identity theory, conformity, empathy, and perspective-taking. Understanding these psychological mechanisms can help individuals become more aware of their responses and make informed decisions when faced with offensive humor. Encouraging empathy and perspective-taking can foster a more inclusive and understanding social environment, where individuals feel empowered to confront prejudiced comments and promote positive change.

References:

Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.). (2019). Social psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Daalmans, S., Kleemans, M., & Sadza, A. (2017). Gender representation on gender-targeted television channels: A comparison of female- and male-targeted tv channels in the Netherlands. Sex Roles, 77(5–6), 366–378. doi:10.1007/s11199-016-0727-6

Jang, I. J., & Cordero-Pedrosa, C. (2016). To laugh or not to laugh at racist jokes. Peace Review, 28(4), 474–481.doi:10.1080/10402659.2016.1237116

Larsen, G. (2017). It’s a man’s world: Music groupies and the othering of women in the world of rock. Organization, 24(3), 397–417. doi:10.1177/1350508416689095