My prediction

[T_Bone0806]

I really wish that some less divisive word would gain some traction so that people can recognize that bias and prejudgments exist without actual animosity.

I agree. I also wish that everyone would realize these are normal and that without exception, everyone has them in some form to some extent.

I've been saying this for a long long time. The trick is to recognize and acknowledge it when we do it, and having done so, move on from it and do all we can to correct that automatic prejudgment. I really do think that just about everyone is predisposed to categorize someone who is different than them in a certain way..a knee-jerk reaction if you will. I'm not just talking race, I'm talking age, weight, mobility issues (yeah, I've been on the other end of that), whatever...but as a species that is supposedly at the top of the heap as a thinking, reasoning creature, we should be able to own up to it and say "ok, it's not logical to think that way based on a stereotyped notion", allow yourself a mea culpa, brush aside that initial reaction, and get about the business of objectively assessing the situation or the subject. Hey, the person may indeed to turn out to be an asshole, in which case you have every right to see them that way. They could be someone you admire greatly but just don't agree with. Or they could turn out to be your new best friend. First step, though, is to admit that we all carry at least a little of that initial prejudgment baggage with us and then do our best to set it down.

[littlebeast13]

I really wish that some less divisive word would gain some traction so that people can recognize that bias and prejudgments exist without actual animosity.

I agree. I also wish that everyone would realize these are normal and that without exception, everyone has them in some form to some extent.

I've been saying this for a long long time. The trick is to recognize and acknowledge it when we do it, and having done so, move on from it and do all we can to correct that automatic prejudgment. I really do think that just about everyone is predisposed to categorize someone who is different than them in a certain way..a knee-jerk reaction if you will. I'm not just talking race, I'm talking age, weight, mobility issues (yeah, I've been on the other end of that), whatever...but as a species that is supposedly at the top of the heap as a thinking, reasoning creature, we should be able to own up to it and say "ok, it's not logical to think that way based on a stereotyped notion", allow yourself a mea culpa, brush aside that initial reaction, and get about the business of objectively assessing the situation or the subject. Hey, the person may indeed to turn out to be an asshole, in which case you have every right to see them that way. They could be someone you admire greatly but just don't agree with. Or they could turn out to be your new best friend. First step, though, is to admit that we all carry at least a little of that initial prejudgment baggage with us and then do our best to set it down.

I think the trick is to actually accepting that we are a judgmental species and just getting over it. Telling another human being not to judge other people is like saying they shouldn't eat or breathe or even go potty. It's in our instincts.... it's in our blood. Most of us can suppress it enough to get by in day to day life in the 21st century, but that's not good enough for people who believe it's their business to call out those whose casual and even subconscious judgments they don't like.... and often shaming others with extremely judgmental behavior on their own part. Hell, just look at any political thread and show me a post from anyone that isn't judgmental in some way or another..... even this post is, though that's kind of the point....

lb13

[flockofseagulls104]

It shows up in study after study such as those in which white interviewees are viewed more favorably, not because the interviewer doesn't like blacks but because he (or she) feels that the white candidate "is a better fit with the company culture" or "seems like more of a team player" or something like that.

Show me one study that claims to prove that point that didn't start out trying to prove that point. I believe what SSS described is part of the liberal narrative. I will say, without any proof, that in today's climate, I believe most interviewers regardless of their race or background will give favor to an 'approved minority' interviewee of higher, the same, or even slightly lesser, qualifications compared to a white male interviewee because they know they will get 'diversity points', and avoid being accused of being some kind of '-ist' or '-phobe' for hiring someone who is an 'approved minority'.
I have no 'study' to back that up, but I believe that to be true based only on my experience and judgment, which I trust more than some study. My experience and judgment is admittedly limited, but it is all I, or anyone else, has to go by.

[silverscreenselect]

Show me one study that claims to prove that point that didn't start out trying to prove that point.

Flock:

I'm never going to be able to do that to your satisfaction, because all scientific studies are set up to test certain hypotheses, namely that there is a correlation between various factors, and by your definition, you'll just say that the study was trying to "prove that point." Studies that show links between smoking and cancer started out trying to "prove" that point as well.

Here's just one article on point:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/upsho ... bias-.html

Now, you can probably explain away any one of those studies or even just bury your head in the sand and say they were trying to prove a point. But these happen over and over again.

[flockofseagulls104]

Show me one study that claims to prove that point that didn't start out trying to prove that point.

Flock:

I'm never going to be able to do that to your satisfaction, because all scientific studies are set up to test certain hypotheses, namely that there is a correlation between various factors, and by your definition, you'll just say that the study was trying to "prove that point." Studies that show links between smoking and cancer started out trying to "prove" that point as well.

Here's just one article on point:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/upsho ... bias-.html

Now, you can probably explain away any one of those studies or even just bury your head in the sand and say they were trying to prove a point. But these happen over and over again.

Racism and all the other -isms and -phobes exist, SSS. Just not to the degree that you believe. Most people are just living their lives the best way they can. The major problem, IMO, is the group of people who think it is their mission in life to expose everything and everyone that doesn't correspond with their idea of fairness.
As for bias 'studies', there are dissenting views. Here's just one article on point:

http://www.dailywire.com/news/7347/7-st ... on-bandler