Adorno's Theory Of Prejudice And Prejudice

The importance of childhood experiences in the development of a prejudice personality is supported in research by Allport (1954.) Allport suggests that a prejudice personality and prejudice attitudes are a result of a “crippled” ego. Individuals with low self-esteem and insecurities are more likely to project their fears and self-doubts onto others, predominantly members of an out group. These characteristics all comply with Adorno’s authoritarian personality traits. A combination of low self-esteem when growing up and extremely strict parenting arguably could create an individual with the ‘authoritarian personality.’ Key criticisms of the authoritarian personality theory are that it only explains the presence of prejudice in a small portion

The theory suggests that there is little hope of changing an authoritarian individual to become more accepting of others (Eberhardt & Fiske 1996.) It can be argued, that even if an individual is raised in a home where every single one of Adorno’s necessary authoritative personality traits are present, they will still be able to grow up and not hold prejudice attitudes. Adorno’s theory suggest that as humans we have no ability to change our way of thinking and that we simply adopted our parents views of the world and that is it. Although our environment and upbringing shape us as individuals there are a significant number of other factors that help shape our attitudes, essentially, we are not clones of our parents, and we still have free will over our attitudes and

When these values and goals conflict with another group’s values and goals this is when prejudice attitudes occur and conflict ensues. A key element of the conflict theory is the notion that groups fear their resources will be taken by another group, therefor, hostile attitudes arise. Resources in this sense can refer to a variety of things such as food, water, land or jobs. Whatever one group perceives as valuable to them can be a resource. Competition for these resources enhances prejudice and stereotypes. The conflict theory regarding prejudice refers specifically to the idea of in-groups and out-groups. Individuals view themselves on the inside looking out at individuals in an out group. The conflict theory relies on the idea of ‘threats’, if the in- group is threatened in some way or another by an out group this is when prejudice attitudes are engaged, the feeling of powerlessness drive these attitudes also. Frustration regarding the feeling of powerlessness can be the root of conflict between groups. Depending on whether an individual sees themselves as the in group or the out group can determine the level of frustration and powerlessness that they feel. The conflict theory suggests that individuals adopt the views of their group, meaning that in this theory prejudiced attitudes are thought to be a result of a group of people rather than personal individual choices.