The Psychology of Prejudice

Given the weaponization of cultural and ideological differences in politics, education, and social media today, the need to understand and fight prejudice is urgent. This second edition of Lynne Jackson’s seminal text presents a significantly updated review of the psychological underpinnings of prejudicial attitudes and behaviors. Jackson synthesizes new research from various areas of psychology to analyze contemporary examples of prejudice, including anti-immigrant policies, police violence against minorities, anti-woman and LGBTQ backlash, and ageist cultural biases. She also explores frequently overlooked issues related to prejudice, such as environmental inequality and speciesism.   Drawing from literature in social, developmental, evolutionary, and personality psychology, Jackson explores the environmental and biological roots of prejudice, explaining how societal factors and human predispositions shape how people understand and respond to diversity. She draws connections between prejudice and other social justice issues showing how it is related to greater social problems like inequality and political polarization. She also offers readers a blueprint for overcoming these deeply embedded biases by improving intergroup attitudes and building communities to create progressive social change.