Steve Taylor, a senior psychological university lecturer has produced an article which outlines how racism may develop, and the 5 stages leading to it.
“ Research shows a link between prejudice and poor psychological functioning, including poor relationships with insecurity and aggression. This can often be traced back to a disturbed and insecure childhood. Other research has shown a link between racism and anxiety, demonstrating that people become more prejudiced during challenging times.
More generally, studies demontrate that when people are made to feel insecure or anxious, they are more likely to identify with their national or ethnic groups. This enhances their self-esteem and their sense of identity, as a defence against insecurity and anxiety.
There are clearly social and economic factors that encourage racism, such as hierarchy and inequality. But the above research suggests that racism is largely a psychological defence mechanism against anxiety and insecurity.”
The 5 stages
1. L“the process begins when a person lacks a sense of security and identity, which generates a desire to affiliate themselves with a group. This affiliation strengthens their identity and provides a sense of belonging.
What’s wrong with this? Why shouldn’t we take pride in our national or religious identity, and feel a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood with others who share our identity?
2. Because group identity often leads to a second, more dangerous stage. In order to further strengthen their sense of identity, members of a group may develop antagonism towards other groups. Such hostility may make the group feel more defined and cohesive, as if they can see themselves more clearly in opposition to others.
3. A third stage of the process is when members of a group withdraw empathy from members of other groups, limiting their concern and compassion to their peers. They may act benevolently towards members of their own group but be indifferent or callous to anyone outside it. The withdrawal of empathy turns other human beings into objects, and enables cruelty and violence.
4. Fourth is the homogenisation of individuals belonging to other groups. People are no longer perceived in terms of their individual personalities or behaviour, but in terms of prejudices about the group as a whole. Any member of the group is a legitimate target and can be punished for the alleged transgressions of other individuals from the group. In contemporary terms, any asylum seeker can be punished for the alleged crime of an individual asylum seeker.
5. Finally, people may project their own psychological flaws and personal failings onto another group, as a strategy of avoiding responsibility. Other groups become scapegoats, and consequently are liable to attacked or even murdered. People with strong narcissistic and paranoid personality traits are especially prone to such projection, since they struggle to accept their personal faults, instead searching for others to take the blame.
In other words, racism is a symptom of psychological ill-health, a sign of anxiety and of a lack of identity and inner security. Psychologically healthy people with a stable sense of identity and security are very rarely (if ever) racist. They ultimately have no need to strengthen their sense of self through group identity.
The Conversation
16/9/25
GrannyGravy13
^In other words racism is a a symptom of psychological ill health^
Taken from your post Whitewavemark2
Definition of psychological ill health - a mental disorder, also known as mental illness.
How long will it be before someone accused of racism uses this as an excuse for their actions.
It’s going to happen 🤦🏼♀️
GrannyGravy13
Whitewavemark2
GrannyGravy13
In other words racism is a a symptom of psychological ill health
Taken from your post Whitewavemark2
Definition of psychological ill health - a mental disorder, also known as mental illness.OK I take your point, but I can’t understand how identifying the cause of racism puts more pressure on those suffering from mental health.
To my mind it brings much greater understanding and perhaps an answer to the unhappiness we are witnessing.We have a close family member with a serious mental health diagnosis. If they were to read your post I know exactly what the reaction would be, and that’s just one individual.
^Oh no it must be all my fault, why doesn’t anyone realise I cannot help being ill, if I had a broken leg I would get tea and sympathy^
Oh dear! You are entirely missing the point of the article I am afraid, and this conversation is getting us nowhere. So excuse me from dropping out if it.
Maremia
Oh boy, this is going to be a lively thread. Thanks WWM2, very timely.
Lively is welcome, but let’s hope it doesn’t descend into anything worse.
Whitewavemark2 has introduced an interesting theory to discuss and psychologists like economists or any other ists won’t all agree on one theory.
Just as we GNers won’t.
petra
GrannyGravy13
In other words racism is a a symptom of psychological ill health
Taken from your post Whitewavemark2
Definition of psychological ill health - a mental disorder, also known as mental illness.How long will it be before someone accused of racism uses this as an excuse for their actions.
It’s going to happen 🤦🏼♀️
It will if articles/papers like this are doing the rounds on SM
I very much doubt the last paragraph in the OP btw.
So now someone’s equating racism with MH issues/poor psychological functioning? Making individuals not responsible for their own behaviour?
I’m in total disagreement with this supposition and think it’s dangerous.
“Mental illness:
is a severe form of psychological ill health, characterized by a long-term impact on functioning.
Psychological ill health:
is a more inclusive term that includes everything from everyday emotional struggles to serious mental illnesses.”
Whitewvemark2 sorry you do not wish to engage, but hey ho 🤷♀️
Apportioning blame is easy, finding and providing a solution is another matter entirely.
I would be absolutely delighted and excited to visit other countries and meet the people there and learn about their lives and cultures.
But I do not want thousands of people from other countries being freely allowed to come here.
Does that make me a racist?
No one appears interested in engaging with my theory of why people are feeling anxious and insecure, which to my mind is more important.
Racism - the result of these insecurities and anxieties will only cease when we tackle the malaise and structural deficiencies in our economy.
Skydancer
I would be absolutely delighted and excited to visit other countries and meet the people there and learn about their lives and cultures.
But I do not want thousands of people from other countries being freely allowed to come here.
Does that make me a racist?
No of course not, and by asking the question, it shows that you do not understand the term/concept.
As I said earlier some people are brought up to be racist. I don't believe they all have mental health issues.
I grew up in the late 40s/50s and racism was rife. It was learned behaviour ironically alongside good manners in many families.
Whitewavemark2
No one appears interested in engaging with my theory of why people are feeling anxious and insecure, which to my mind is more important.
Racism - the result of these insecurities and anxieties will only cease when we tackle the malaise and structural deficiencies in our economy.
The most racist person I know is a multimillionaire, no financial problems, no job insecurities, no housing problems.
Needless to say I avoid them whenever in the same social situation, and wouldn’t call them a friend.
I think it’s an interesting five point analysis, but I think he’s mistaken in two respects.
The first is to confine the process to racism. I would like observe that this is pretty much what happens in society in various situations where any group forms - whether it be an area of town, a place of belief, a club of some sort, albeit with lesser consequences.
Secondly I disagree that it’s a symptom of psychological ill health. I think it is a natural throwback to when we were a species that needed to form groups for survival. I don’t believe we can escape that need.
So I suppose I reject his first two points as part of an ongoing development of racism. I believe they are part of people negotiating living as a society.
The last three points I accept as a development of insecurities and an unhealthy need for affirmation as an individual.
Whitewavemark2
Skydancer
I would be absolutely delighted and excited to visit other countries and meet the people there and learn about their lives and cultures.
But I do not want thousands of people from other countries being freely allowed to come here.
Does that make me a racist?No of course not, and by asking the question, it shows that you do not understand the term/concept.
Just want to offer my support for this post.
Maybe it will provoke discussion in the way some people seem to think we should be discussing tese things.
Finding common ground is the key to dispelling racist bias- but we all have a certain amount of bias against the people we perceive to be different from us.
I saw some interesting footage of a young back man who went to the march in London to observe, and found his friend stood on a plinth waving his flag and singing in praise of Tomaaaay!
His friend was put on the spot when he realised his mate from the pub was filming him, and carried on doing so. It was cringe worthy, but essential viewing and shows how people might join in something even though they have no real concept of what it really means.
Whitewavemark2
No one appears interested in engaging with my theory of why people are feeling anxious and insecure, which to my mind is more important.
Racism - the result of these insecurities and anxieties will only cease when we tackle the malaise and structural deficiencies in our economy.
What theory is that, Wwmk2?
Is it your post at 08.30 this morning?
If it is, I’d point out that I’ve been trying to say much the same thing for a while now and have been comprehensively ignored. You will no doubt suffer the same fate.
Sorry for the errors here- should have been young black man
Whitewavemark2
No one appears interested in engaging with my theory of why people are feeling anxious and insecure, which to my mind is more important.
Racism - the result of these insecurities and anxieties will only cease when we tackle the malaise and structural deficiencies in our economy.
This posted while I was thinkng/typing.
I agree with you that economic insecurities play a major part but also concerns about safety, particularly in regard to perceptions of female roles. Which is not just an issue of race currently
In other threads discussing the rise in racism, people have suggested that it is as a result of the insecurities and unhappiness people, are feeling. Tackle those they say, and you tackle racism.
I posted an explanation by a psychologist for the rise in racism and I have suggested an economic explanation as to why the insecurities were initiated.
To my mind, whilst the racist theory is interesting, the most important thing is to mend what is becoming a broken society.
MaizieD
Whitewavemark2
No one appears interested in engaging with my theory of why people are feeling anxious and insecure, which to my mind is more important.
Racism - the result of these insecurities and anxieties will only cease when we tackle the malaise and structural deficiencies in our economy.What theory is that, Wwmk2?
Is it your post at 08.30 this morning?
If it is, I’d point out that I’ve been trying to say much the same thing for a while now and have been comprehensively ignored. You will no doubt suffer the same fate.
Yes but this may be a way into it 😊
Although people do seem fixated on race🙄 and don’t seem to be able to make that next step.
My interpretation of the article is that the author is doing what psychologists do - trying to understand human behaviour, which is extremely complex.
Unless someone has a severe mental illness that impairs their thinking, we are all ‘in control’ of our own behaviour. It’s just that much of that behaviour stems from our entire life experiences, wired deep in our brains, rather than our conscious awareness. A person doesn’t wake up and ‘decide’ to be a racist - it’s a result of a cumulation of experiences.
Psychology attempts to understand and explain human behaviour - it’s never going to be 100% accurate, because human behaviour is so diverse. Psychologists accept this, but they shouldn’t ever stop enquiring.
Well it's an interesting POV it might explain why some people are racist but it doesn't explain structural racism or why some people who have no psychological issues are racist. I'm with WWM2 in that I think the rise in racism is often linked to economic decline especially when scapegoating is used as a tool to gain political support. Farage has used it very successfully both during Brexit, whilst in UKIP and now Reform, other politicians are jumping on the same bandwagon, because it works! TBH I think it's why so many people turned out last Saturday.
It worked in the past because races were dehumanised, you can't feel empathy for someone who is less than human, so slavery was seen as acceptable to many perfectly psychologically sound people. It's being used in Israel to talk about Palestinians and Hamas used the same tactics to prepare their followers so they could commit atrocities. Sadly I've seen elements of it in posts on GN with regard to Muslims.
We are at our heart, pretty tribal, that unfortunately tends to make us "prejudiced" towards people like us and against people whom we see to be different. If we belong to the group with power and use that power to derive unfair advantage then that makes us racist. That's what's behind all this English pride, flag waving nonsense. It's all about giving people the message that something is being taken away from them by people who are different. (It's also why, in the UK non whites can be prejudiced but not racist, non whites don't hold the power in the UK!) That's why scapegoating is so very dangerous, it legitimises people's prejudice and potentially leads to giving bad people, political power. Sorry, end of essay!
Racism has been rife for a very long time however satisfied or dissatisfied people are with there lives.
There wasn't a word for it when I was young but it was alive and kicking.
The economic situation we are struggling with now hasn't created racism.
I agree that many people are concerned about asylum seekers coming here illegally, but I wonder to what extent they also worry about other burning political issues, it does seem to be a bit of a one trick pony, but of course if it garners votes then politicians will put it top of the political agenda every time.
By all means be concerned about a political issue, and canvass your MP, start a petition, organise a march about this issue but don’t invite racist speakers or march alongside those who have swastika tattoos and are just there to give someone a good kicking.
We all have political concerns, I marched against the war in Iraq but am pretty sure Saddam wasn’t invited to speak out against the war, or any member of his party.
The enemy of your enemy isn’t always your friend. And your enemy may not in all reality be the enemy at all.
Look towards Westminster not towards Muslim people.
AGAA4
I think racism can be passed down through families too. Hopefully with better education more people learn to reason.
Most things can, but I know a fair few people whose parents were / are racist who are not themselves similarly afflicted.
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