Perceived conflict activates pre-existing prejudices tuned to the same issue

Evidence

Allport distinguished between real intergroup competition and the resulting prejudice, he acknowledged the often clouded nature of perceptions of conflict. He suggested that intergroup competition is “like a note on an organ … it sets all prejudices that are attuned to it into simultaneous vibration” (1954/1979, p. 233). Allport’s analysis clearly acknowledged the complexities of social reality. Correspondingly, theory and research during the past half century have illuminated how many of these complexities operate. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1482

Allport distinguished between real intergroup competition and the resulting prejudice, he acknowledged the often clouded nature of perceptions of conflict. He suggested that intergroup competition is “like a note on an organ … it sets all prejudices that are attuned to it into simultaneous vibration” (1954/1979, p. 233). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1482

Categorization

• CANDY: The ‘note on an organ’ aphorism is a vivid, quotable metaphor for selective resonance between real conflict and preexisting attitude structures.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1482; , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1482
• XREF: connects to: the MOC “The Enemy-Making Machine: Ours, True, and the Identity That Defends Both”