2007-02-16 16:06:06 · 14 answers · asked by Globetrotter 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Everyone is born with an un-prejudiced mind. Of course they sense that people whose skin/customs/etc. are different than theirs are different, but they don't think of them as "inferior".
Gradually as they live in society they pick up a tiny bit of prejudice in the back of their minds, which everyone has. that's the way the world works.
It becomes racism when they firmly beleive other races are inferior and openly make comments about it. This isn't something "natural", it is learned by being raised or surrounded by other racist people.
2007-02-16 16:18:31 · answer #1 · answered by Mags 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have noticed that many of the people who opt for a full learning explanation can not give the mechanism of that learning or a scintilla of evidence supporting their position. Learning needs innate mechanisms to function. Even the connectionists allow some level of innateness and as their theories have been stagnate for some time, innate conceptions are now more acceptable. We can posit innate mechanisms, through the theory of evolution by natural selection. Racism is seen to be a morbid amplification of in group/out group psychology.
2007-02-17 01:47:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think some people believe it is innate, because people learn it so early in life, but it's truly learned. We learn it at an age when we aren't able to discern the truth about people, just by seeing how things are around us. I know I like to think I'm not a racist, and still, because of my background, unwanted thoughts come up about certain people because of how they look, all because of how I grew up.
2007-02-17 00:17:37 · answer #3 · answered by honest_funny_charlie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definitely learned. While the feeling to create stereotypes is innate, it helps people feel a sense of protection. But racism is definitely learned, the feeling to hate another race is not from birth and genes
2007-02-17 00:14:32 · answer #4 · answered by mastap425 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most people are saying learned, but I have to say, as animals, which we are, there tends to be a comfort with people that look like you. I think mostly though, racism deals with the type of culture a person my project that doesn't mesh well with anothers.
2007-02-17 00:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by Blackb3lt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Based on watching the interactions of teenagers, I would say a bit of both.
Innately, they notice what they are not, whether it is race, glasses, braces, clothing styles, likes/dislikes, or eye color. And it isn't uncommon for kids to dismiss their peers based on some perceived difference.
However, it's generally adults that fear what they are not, so many of the racist (and homophobic) thought processes are magnified and passed on.
...again, it seems to me that it is both.
2007-02-17 00:24:21 · answer #6 · answered by Jenny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Learned.
2007-02-17 00:12:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
mostly learned from your enviorment
i bet some dude tought about racisem an started it now its spredding its enviormental not innate
2007-02-17 00:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by moomilkboy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Learned, you put two toldlers together of a different race and they will treat eachother like they treat everyone else their age.
2007-02-17 00:14:22 · answer #9 · answered by heavy_cow 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would have to say both because I've seen people grow up in racist households and not go along with their family.
2007-02-17 00:15:20 · answer #10 · answered by Udel26 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋