Often, I wonder how we, as humans, can come to such different conclusions when considering some of the important challenges facing us. Whatever the issue: the environment, politics, race relations, sexuality, or religion, the differences and nuances of opinion can be myriad. As a society, are we getting less tolerant of those who disagree with or differ from our own viewpoints? Do we even know or strive to really understand what makes others take such radically opposing views to ourselves anymore, or do we just seek out those who agree with our standpoints?
We can all harbour prejudices or negative stereotypes towards those who disagree with us. I do not like this conclusion, but I must accept it has some merit. So how can I turn this situation around?
Two psychologists* completed a meta-analytic study on prejudice by reviewing the finding of over 500 studies, involving 250,000 participants in over 35 countries. They came to an obvious but powerful conclusion. Simply put, interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice. I found this finding very consoling and helpful. Those troubling concerns I noted earlier are largely because I have no real contact with those with views or backgrounds different from my own and consequently, I form stereotypes which are often unhelpful or unkind.
It is problematic that I have too much contact with like-minded, socio-economic, ethnically similar people. I must remember that we are a small minority of mankind. Social media, news organizations and our own busy schedules can easily make it convenient to form associations of friends that are exclusive and insular.
I must challenge myself to make more contact with those who are different from me. I must try to deliberately be more inclusive and tolerant. I must accept the fact that others have a natural and legitimate prejudice against me, because they do not any have contact with me.
Acknowledging and accepting that I have a natural but unhelpful tendency to be prejudiced is a good place to start in terms of turning this situation around.
*: T. Pettigrew and L. Tropp, Does Intergroup Contact Reduce Prejudice? Meta-Analytic Finding, 2008
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