True prejudice reduction requires awareness of the values-action conflict

Evidence

Allport recognized, however, that for some people, overcoming rather than circumventing prejudice was the overarching goal. For example, Allport (1954/1979) noted that some people are likely to find their defenses wanting such that “they can neither repress, rationalize, nor compromise with any comfort” (p. 338). These people are aware of, and do not hide from, the conflict between their values and their actions. Indeed, awareness of the conflict is a prerequisite to overcoming prejudice. According to Allport, successful resolution of inner conflict – true prejudice reduction – requires taking stock of one’s biases and doing the hard work to achieve an integrated personality in which there is consistency between values and actions. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2100

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes Allport’s premise: awareness of the values-action conflict is prerequisite to genuine prejudice reduction.