Discrimination: What it is and how to cope For many people, discrimination is an everyday reality Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation
Discussing discrimination Gwendolyn Keita, PhD, executive director of APA’s Public Interest Directorate discusses how and why to put discrimination on the conversation agenda According to psychological research, talking openly about discrimination may threaten to unmask both conscious and unconscious belief systems about one’s own bias and prejudices
Racism, bias, and discrimination Racism is a form of prejudice that generally includes negative emotional reactions, acceptance of negative stereotypes, and discrimination against individuals Discrimination involves negative, hostile, and injurious treatment of members of rejected groups
Taking a stand against book bans How psychologists are fighting censorship to keep culturally diverse books available to everyone
Bystander Intervention Tip Sheet Bystander intervention is not the same as “The Bystander Effect” Bystander intervention involves a bystander becoming an upstander in discriminatory emergency situations The “Bystander Effect” refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help or intervene due to the ambiguity of the situation, the inhibiting presence of multiple bystanders (diffusion of
How psychological science can advance racial equity Key points The field of psychology has historically contributed to systemic racism, but efforts are being made to address past shortcomings Psychological science offers unique insights and tools to advance racial equity by leveraging rigorous research and evidence-based practices Building inclusive and diverse environments requires intentional efforts and ongoing commitment
Inclusive Language Guide - American Psychological Association (APA) Stereotyping, prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory behavior, and social oppression toward people with disabilities to inhibit their rights and well-being (APA, 2021c; Bogart Dunn, 2019) Multiple attitudinal and cultural factors across global societies lead to various forms of microaggressions and discrimination toward people with disabilities
Understanding ableism and negative reactions to disability These biases save time and mental energy—we can think quickly and easily—but we risk drawing false conclusions about people and acting in discriminatory ways Slower, more careful cognition requires us to engage in critical thinking in order to revisit and to perhaps revise our earlier conclusions