The Origins of Prejudice : Dangerous Opinions and Beliefs (Explanations in the Social Sciences)

Being prejudiced is usually taken to mean having hasty and poorly founded feelings and opinions, usually negative, that are based on too little real knowledge and careful consideration. Definitions, however, are not explanations. The Origins of Prejudice is a short and unconventional book that shows you step-by-step both how and why all of us who are human often rely uncritically on what we believe to be true. The book directly addresses prejudice, discrimination, and harmful beliefs, asking why humans develop biased views about others and how these attitudes shape social conflict. It is highly relevant to contemporary debates about racism, polarization, and misinformation that are particularly pressing in today’s divided political landscape.