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Local vs. Foreign Tragedy

Applying Social Psychological Principles of Prejudice and Dehumanization

By Jamie S. Hughes

Local vs. Foreign Tragedy


 

Abstract

This case study challenges students to understand and apply a set of concepts from the domain of social psychology to an inflammatory article that was published in The Guardian. Students prepare by reading a chapter on prejudice and stereotyping and then read the article that was written following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The author argues that Americans are prejudiced against Pakistanis and Muslims. He suggests that the shared outrage about the Newtown shootings on the one hand, and the indifference toward Pakistani children killed as a result of the "war on terror" on the other hand, provides evidence of Muslim dehumanization. Students who engage in this activity will 1) identify passages that demonstrate social psychological concepts, 2) apply social psychological concepts to a real life event, 3) determine which theory best predicts a specific response, 4) evaluate an argument, and 5) chose an alternative theory which could help explain a phenomenon. The case is particularly appropriate for social science courses in which prejudice and stereotyping concepts are relevant.

   

Date Posted

11/25/2015

Overview

Objectives

  • Identify passages in an article that demonstrate social psychological concepts.
  • Apply social psychological concepts to a real life event.
  • Determine which theory best predicts a specific response.
  • Evaluate an argument.
  • Chose an alternative theory which could help explain a phenomenon.

Keywords

Prejudice; stereotyping; discrimination; dehumanization; suppression-justification theory; realistic conflict theory; social psychology; war; cognitive dissonance

  

Subject Headings

Psychology
Sociology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Science and the media, Social issues, Social justice issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

N/A, Analysis (Issues), Dilemma/Decision, Discussion

 

 

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