Expression of prejudice diverges from private belief depending on perceived social norms.

Evidence

The research we have reviewed to this point is consistent with the idea that norms can either create or reduce prejudice. But internalized norms frequently conflict with external norms, especially when the social dynamic is in flux. As a result, people do not always act on their inner beliefs. This conflict cuts both ways – sometimes people express more prejudice than they believe is proper (for instance, when they agree with or fail to confront others who are acting in prejudicial ways), and other times they may express less prejudice than they believe proper (for instance, when they invoke principles of political correctness or endorse affirmative-action policies even when they do not agree with them). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1906

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: People conform publicly to beliefs they privately reject — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide: The Social…, 321