Summary
- Subtle prejudices may influence your behavior.
- Be aware of pre-judgments.
- Challenge your thinking.
You may work hard to accept differences in people, but do you have subtle forms of prejudice in your thoughts? You may benefit from a closer look for hidden prejudice in yourself.
Hidden prejudice might make you:
- Decide that someone whose looks, clothing, accent, educational background, etc. do not appeal to you is not worth getting to know
- Assume that a very attractive, intelligent person has an easier or better life than you do
- Think that an obese person is lazy, gluttonous, jolly, etc.
- Believe that all smokers could quit if they really wanted to
- Worry that someone receiving treatment for depression or anxiety is unstable or a threat to you
Challenge your thinking
If you notice prejudiced thinking, try new thoughts that challenge your biases. These tips may help:
- Try to catch yourself judging someone.
- Ask yourself what proof you have that your judgment is based on truth.
- Challenge your judgments. Look for evidence that refutes your negative opinion of others.
- Remind yourself often that you:
- Might be mistaken in your judgment
- Cannot read minds
- Would be upset to think someone is judging you unfairly
- Broaden your group of friends to include people you previously might have ignored.
- Remain alert to the influence of subtle stereotyping and other potential seeds of prejudice in TV, books, conversations, etc.
Some thought habits are so old they just won’t die easily. You actually have little control over thoughts prior to their springing up. But you can challenge the truth of a thought once you are aware of it.
The bottom line is to bring prejudice out of hiding and into your conscious awareness. Once you recognize it and label it as “prejudice,” you are less likely to hold on to it.
Summary
- Subtle prejudices may influence your behavior.
- Be aware of pre-judgments.
- Challenge your thinking.
You may work hard to accept differences in people, but do you have subtle forms of prejudice in your thoughts? You may benefit from a closer look for hidden prejudice in yourself.
Hidden prejudice might make you:
- Decide that someone whose looks, clothing, accent, educational background, etc. do not appeal to you is not worth getting to know
- Assume that a very attractive, intelligent person has an easier or better life than you do
- Think that an obese person is lazy, gluttonous, jolly, etc.
- Believe that all smokers could quit if they really wanted to
- Worry that someone receiving treatment for depression or anxiety is unstable or a threat to you
Challenge your thinking
If you notice prejudiced thinking, try new thoughts that challenge your biases. These tips may help:
- Try to catch yourself judging someone.
- Ask yourself what proof you have that your judgment is based on truth.
- Challenge your judgments. Look for evidence that refutes your negative opinion of others.
- Remind yourself often that you:
- Might be mistaken in your judgment
- Cannot read minds
- Would be upset to think someone is judging you unfairly
- Broaden your group of friends to include people you previously might have ignored.
- Remain alert to the influence of subtle stereotyping and other potential seeds of prejudice in TV, books, conversations, etc.
Some thought habits are so old they just won’t die easily. You actually have little control over thoughts prior to their springing up. But you can challenge the truth of a thought once you are aware of it.
The bottom line is to bring prejudice out of hiding and into your conscious awareness. Once you recognize it and label it as “prejudice,” you are less likely to hold on to it.
Summary
- Subtle prejudices may influence your behavior.
- Be aware of pre-judgments.
- Challenge your thinking.
You may work hard to accept differences in people, but do you have subtle forms of prejudice in your thoughts? You may benefit from a closer look for hidden prejudice in yourself.
Hidden prejudice might make you:
- Decide that someone whose looks, clothing, accent, educational background, etc. do not appeal to you is not worth getting to know
- Assume that a very attractive, intelligent person has an easier or better life than you do
- Think that an obese person is lazy, gluttonous, jolly, etc.
- Believe that all smokers could quit if they really wanted to
- Worry that someone receiving treatment for depression or anxiety is unstable or a threat to you
Challenge your thinking
If you notice prejudiced thinking, try new thoughts that challenge your biases. These tips may help:
- Try to catch yourself judging someone.
- Ask yourself what proof you have that your judgment is based on truth.
- Challenge your judgments. Look for evidence that refutes your negative opinion of others.
- Remind yourself often that you:
- Might be mistaken in your judgment
- Cannot read minds
- Would be upset to think someone is judging you unfairly
- Broaden your group of friends to include people you previously might have ignored.
- Remain alert to the influence of subtle stereotyping and other potential seeds of prejudice in TV, books, conversations, etc.
Some thought habits are so old they just won’t die easily. You actually have little control over thoughts prior to their springing up. But you can challenge the truth of a thought once you are aware of it.
The bottom line is to bring prejudice out of hiding and into your conscious awareness. Once you recognize it and label it as “prejudice,” you are less likely to hold on to it.