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Racism is a result of poor psychological functioning

(375 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Tue 16-Sept-25 07:24:51

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

Allira Sat 20-Sept-25 19:40:45

We were talking about Musk, having deviated from the original brief.

M0nica Sat 20-Sept-25 19:38:50

But that was a tongue in cheek remark.

Allira Sat 20-Sept-25 12:04:01

LizzieDrip

^As Elizabeth Bennet said to her mother "If he were not so rich he would not be quite so handsome"^

🤣🤣🤣 Jane Austen got it in one!

'Will you tell me how long you have loved him?" "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley."'

LizzieDrip Sat 20-Sept-25 11:46:00

As Elizabeth Bennet said to her mother "If he were not so rich he would not be quite so handsome"

🤣🤣🤣 Jane Austen got it in one!

Caleo Sat 20-Sept-25 11:34:33

Allira

foxie48

Money can be a huge distraction, I'm afraid!

$$$$$$
The thought is making me feel queasy.

As Elizabeth Bennet said to her mother "If he were not so rich he would not be quite so handsome".

Caleo Sat 20-Sept-25 11:32:10

M0nica

*I can tell you don’t live near a large Muslim community. If you are against Tommy and Elon you must be for the grooming gangs.*

Never have I read a more ridiculous statement. The vast majoirty of mslims in this country have the same horror of grooming gangs, including those in their own community. Grooming gangs are not limited to Muslims. There was a government enquiry intogrooming gang that showed that they included all communities in this country - and how does a grooming gang differ from the big prostitution rings run by criminal gangs, or paedophile gangs, all deal in vulnerable underage children.

It is also ridiculously simplistic to define anyone by one policy. When you vote in an election do you really decide to vote for someone purely on one topic - say education, even if you disagree with every other policy that party had.

Robinson and Musk have jumped on the grooming gang theme because they are populist rabble rousers. they have said nothing about countrylines that lead many vulnerable underage young boys in to a life of crime, drug addiction and worse. Elon Musks private life does not bear much investigation 14 children by 4 different women. Some of his children barely ever see him and he has disowned one.

Musk and Robinson would campaign for animal cruelty, if they thought those who could be their followers supported it.

Good one MOnica flowers

CariadAgain Fri 19-Sept-25 07:57:47

LizzieDrip

^There are actually four women who found him attractive? 😲^

I wonder what might attract 4 women to an attention seeking, narcissistic, weirdo billionaire🤔

LOL. Don't forget the power aspect as well. Someone in his position will use that "powerful" position for what they want for themselves personally - and a woman might think he'd "pave the way" for anything she wants personally (ie as well as money). All the way upwards from "Would a waiter in a restaurant dare do anything other than give you the best possible table instantly - if you had him with you?" and any other instance where she didn't have the clout to get what she wanted if she didn't have "I'm with the powerful wealthy one" to wave at them....

Most people will "bend over and behave" if you're with someone perceived as wealthy and powerful - if you've not got any of that yourself.

David49 Fri 19-Sept-25 07:25:51

Money and power is the attraction, BUT actually living with someone like that requires great sacrifice, you have to make your own life around his. I’m sure Melania Trump and many celebrity wives are in the same position, and loose your own identity.

LizzieDrip Thu 18-Sept-25 23:35:24

I might be🤣🤣🤣

Allira Thu 18-Sept-25 23:22:52

LizzieDrip

^There are actually four women who found him attractive? 😲^

I wonder what might attract 4 women to an attention seeking, narcissistic, weirdo billionaire🤔

Are you Mrs Merton II?

😂😂😂

LizzieDrip Thu 18-Sept-25 23:19:20

There are actually four women who found him attractive? 😲

I wonder what might attract 4 women to an attention seeking, narcissistic, weirdo billionaire🤔

Allira Thu 18-Sept-25 22:54:54

foxie48

Money can be a huge distraction, I'm afraid!

$$$$$$
The thought is making me feel queasy.

Babs03 Thu 18-Sept-25 22:44:04

M0nica

*I can tell you don’t live near a large Muslim community. If you are against Tommy and Elon you must be for the grooming gangs.*

Never have I read a more ridiculous statement. The vast majoirty of mslims in this country have the same horror of grooming gangs, including those in their own community. Grooming gangs are not limited to Muslims. There was a government enquiry intogrooming gang that showed that they included all communities in this country - and how does a grooming gang differ from the big prostitution rings run by criminal gangs, or paedophile gangs, all deal in vulnerable underage children.

It is also ridiculously simplistic to define anyone by one policy. When you vote in an election do you really decide to vote for someone purely on one topic - say education, even if you disagree with every other policy that party had.

Robinson and Musk have jumped on the grooming gang theme because they are populist rabble rousers. they have said nothing about countrylines that lead many vulnerable underage young boys in to a life of crime, drug addiction and worse. Elon Musks private life does not bear much investigation 14 children by 4 different women. Some of his children barely ever see him and he has disowned one.

Musk and Robinson would campaign for animal cruelty, if they thought those who could be their followers supported it.

Agree totally.
And I believe that Musk, who has also talked about the grooming gangs is a fan of the Tate brothers, indeed he persuaded Trump to try and get their charges of sex trafficking, rape, and underage sex, dismissed.
As the Americans would say - go figure!

foxie48 Thu 18-Sept-25 22:42:29

Money can be a huge distraction, I'm afraid!

Allira Thu 18-Sept-25 22:37:20

Elon Musks private life does not bear much investigation 14 children by 4 different women.

There are actually four women who found him attractive? 😲

foxie48 Thu 18-Sept-25 22:16:22

Well said, Monica

M0nica Thu 18-Sept-25 19:58:52

I can tell you don’t live near a large Muslim community. If you are against Tommy and Elon you must be for the grooming gangs.

Never have I read a more ridiculous statement. The vast majoirty of mslims in this country have the same horror of grooming gangs, including those in their own community. Grooming gangs are not limited to Muslims. There was a government enquiry intogrooming gang that showed that they included all communities in this country - and how does a grooming gang differ from the big prostitution rings run by criminal gangs, or paedophile gangs, all deal in vulnerable underage children.

It is also ridiculously simplistic to define anyone by one policy. When you vote in an election do you really decide to vote for someone purely on one topic - say education, even if you disagree with every other policy that party had.

Robinson and Musk have jumped on the grooming gang theme because they are populist rabble rousers. they have said nothing about countrylines that lead many vulnerable underage young boys in to a life of crime, drug addiction and worse. Elon Musks private life does not bear much investigation 14 children by 4 different women. Some of his children barely ever see him and he has disowned one.

Musk and Robinson would campaign for animal cruelty, if they thought those who could be their followers supported it.

PaynesGrey Thu 18-Sept-25 18:48:12

If you are against Tommy and Elon you must be for the grooming gangs.

Perhaps you would care to comment on why so many of TR's EDL buddies have been convicted of sexual offences against women and children?

I have five pages of these. Here are just three.

Menopauselbitch Thu 18-Sept-25 18:36:41

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?

Not at all. I think the word racist is being used way to much.

Menopauselbitch Thu 18-Sept-25 18:35:09

Well said

Menopauselbitch Thu 18-Sept-25 18:33:40

Babs03

We can see resonances with Germany in the 1930s, the country was bankrupt after having to pay crippling war reparations after the First World War, people were on their knees and obviously feeling insecure and anxious. And after the trouncing Germany got in the war what better than a party promising a resurgence of nationalism, pride in their nation. But of course there needed to be a scapegoat for Germany’s failings, a group that could be blamed for ongoing financial ruin, and I think we all know which group were chosen, and dehumanised in order to permit horrendous atrocities.
There are resonances but the UK is by no means the same. However, the hate speech of Musk and TR is exactly the same, aimed without any doubt at demonising and dehumanising Muslims.
We need to be aware of this and not excuse it because of the failings of our government in addressing people’s insecurities and anxieties. There are never any excuses for this.

I can tell you don’t live near a large Muslim community. If you are against Tommy and Elon you must be for the grooming gangs.

Menopauselbitch Thu 18-Sept-25 18:32:10

StripeyGran

No no no Babs. Elon wanted to protect poor abused young girls in Rochdale surely?

Tommeh is a patriot and Nigel tells it how it is.

Bravo 👍🏻

DaisyAnneReturns Thu 18-Sept-25 15:13:59

Maremia

A very large proportion of the arrested rioters were already convicted of domestic abuses, on women and girls.
Those rioters were not there to protect women.

Two out of every five people arrested after participating in last summer’s riots had been previously reported to the police for domestic abuse, the Guardian can disclose.

Police data released under freedom of information (FoI) laws shows that 41% of 899 people arrested for taking part in the violent disorder last July and August had been reported for crimes associated with intimate partner violence.

For those arrested by one police force, this figure was as high as 68%.

Previous offences include actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, stalking, breach of restraint and non-molestation orders, controlling coercive behaviour and criminal damage. *

It seems to be the case that similar findings are coming out regarding the recent event too.

*Guardian

Caleo Thu 18-Sept-25 14:08:52

It's the theory of in -groups and out-groups . well known in social psychology'

Fear can quietly shape how we relate to others. When we feel uncertain or under threat, it’s natural to stick closer to our “ingroup”—friends, family, or communities we trust. This brings comfort and a sense of belonging, but it can also make us more cautious about those we see as outsiders.

David49 Thu 18-Sept-25 13:54:13

Do we need growth??

We need growth to balance inflation, UK growth has lagged behind inflation for many years, coupled with increased public spending has resulted in increased borrowing