Targets of prejudice respond with active coping strategies rather than inevitable self-hatred

Evidence

Contrary to prevailing views arguing for targets’ inevitable self-hatred, Allport realized that active motivations to cope with prejudice, which could be directed inwardly or outwardly, could be critical factors in the psychology of stigmatized group members (e.g., ethnic minorities). He commented that “since no one can be indifferent to the abuse and expectations of others, we must anticipate that ego defensiveness will frequently be found among members of groups that are set off for ridicule, disparagement, and discrimination” (p. 143). These ego defenses can be viewed as part of more general processes involved in coping with stress (Major & Vick) and may reflect not only reactive responses to oppression but also active attempts for self-enhancement shaped by a minority group’s cultural traditions and beliefs ( Jones). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 124

Allport also considered self-protective strategies from the standpoint of the targets of prejudice. Contrary to prevailing views arguing for targets’ inevitable self-hatred, Allport realized that active motivations to cope with prejudice, which could be directed inwardly or outwardly, could be critical factors in the psychology of stigmatized group members (e.g., ethnic minorities). He commented that “since no one can be indifferent to the abuse and expectations of others, we must anticipate that ego defensiveness will frequently be found among members of groups that are set off for ridicule, disparagement, and discrimination” (p. 143). These ego defenses can be viewed as part of more general processes involved in coping with stress (Major & Vick) and may reflect not only reactive responses to oppression but also active attempts for self-enhancement shaped by a minority group’s cultural traditions and beliefs ( Jones). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 125

Categorization

• XREF: Contradicts the internalized-self-hatred assumption that may already sit in the vault’s prejudice cluster; connects to Major & Vick stigma-coping and modern identity-resilience work. — connects to: Prejudiced targets cope via assimilation, resistance, or pluralism — Jeff Greenberg and Spee Kosloff, Terror Management Theory: Implications…, 75
• QUESTION: Which cultural traditions and beliefs shape minority self-enhancement strategies, and how varied are they across groups and eras?
• corroborated: 5 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 124; John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 125