Public Prejudicial Discourse as a Global Socio-Ethnic Phenomenon: Using Digital Media to Limit Detrimental Language Flows

Emmanuel K Ngwainmbi

doi:10.22158/csm.v4n3p1

Abstract

Studies continuously seek answers to how harmful speech delivered by any group or individual to three or more people affects their wellbeing. Specifically, deliverers target specific individuals or groups with their speech often unjustifiably or incorrectly based solely on the individual’s association with a group. Various avenues have been used to disseminate prejudicial data, creating different reactions. Whether verbal antagonism—casual racial slurs or disparaging race-sensitive comments or non-verbal expressions—explicit and implicit images published to denigrate an individual or group, prejudicial narratives have massive socio-economic and cultural consequences. Nevertheless, prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on their membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954); it is common against an unfamiliar cultural group and behaviors associated with prejudice such as discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, and ageism are now rife in communities worldwide and digital media networks. This paper analyzes some behavioral theories and uses the matrix of self-awareness and its ability to unlock our understanding of communication between groups and enhance group cultures. Referencing the use of prejudicial language in America and the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s efforts to track prejudicial discourse, it suggests steps to limit anti-other behaviors.

Highlights

Discourse is written or spoken communication, a debate, information authoritatively shared about a topic, the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulating sounds and words
Clinical psychologists have recently established that dominant group members feel more guilt, anger, and sadness after observing severe ostracism of a disadvantaged instead of dominant group members (Petsnik & Varauer, 2020)
There were no direct effects on behavioral outcomes, their exploratory analyses suggest that observing ostracism of disadvantaged versus dominant group members indirectly impacted behavior proven by increased feelings of anger

Summary

Introduction

Discourse is written or spoken communication, a debate, information authoritatively shared about a topic, the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulating sounds and words. Verbal or nonverbal communication expresses prejudice against an identified individual or group based on race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The seasoned hate monger uses reverse psychology, a technique involving the assertion of a belief or behavior opposite to the one desired, with the expectation that this approach would encourage the subject of the persuasion to do what is expected. This technique, coined by the world-renowned German-born sociologists Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer, relies on the psychological phenomenon of reactance. Writing about “psychology in reverse,” known as belief or behavior that is opposite to the one desired, Adorno and Horkheimer advanced the notion that common prejudices could inadvertently or deliberately damage the esteem of persons in marginalized groups, i.e., Blacks, LGBTQ+, international students, immigrants, women

Method Method 1

Conclusions

Findings