Some targets respond to prejudice with dignity without inflicting suffering in return

Evidence

Although this simple dichotomy is a convenient way to summarize much of the research on target perspective that has followed Allport’s analysis, even he saw its shortcomings. He noted that a person might show combinations of mechanisms that cross over the intropunitive/extropunitive modalities. … Do not regard their marginality as fatal in their pursuit of a wholesome and enjoyable life. Their basic values are human and universal … [when] they encounter discrimination and prejudice, they react with dignity and broad understanding … There develops an intelligent pursuit of one’s goals, including efforts to reduce discrimination in society and increase democracy. There develops a broad compassion for oppressed people whoever they are. In short, sympathy, courage, persistence, and dignity mark such a personality … a fully developed personality is one that can handle its suffering without inflicting suffering in return. (p. 161) What Allport roughly sketched is a two-factor model of targets’ responses to prejudice. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1056

Categorization

• XREF: Allport’s own acknowledgment that intropunitive/extropunitive is too crude a dichotomy — relevant to the reassessment’s structure of target responses.
• DEEPTHINKING: Allport’s portrait of a personality that handles suffering without inflicting it warrants the full paragraph — a dense ideal-type worth sitting with.