Skewed interactions with evidence: a discussion of fixed sexually prejudiced beliefs
- Authors: Kirkaldy, Hannah Tshirukhwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Homophobia , Discrimination , Prejudices , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7279 , vital:21238
- Description: In this thesis, I will argue that a challenge to the combatting of sexual prejudice (more commonly known as homophobia) through argument and evidence is that those on both sides of the issue are prone to a phenomenon known in psychology as confirmation bias. While the motivating concern of the thesis is sexual prejudice, and while I do discuss sexual prejudice throughout the thesis, I will focus mostly on confirmation bias, with the understanding that the picture I set out will have implications for combatting sexual prejudice at a later stage. The term confirmation bias refers either to the tendency to look for evidence which confirms one's already-held beliefs, or to engage differently with evidence based on whether or not you agree with its conclusion. After dissecting two paradigmatic experiments which explore these two kinds of confirmation bias, and arguing that they can be further broken down into sub-phenomena, I will focus on the latter kind, as I think it is the more relevant to sexual prejudice. Its essential effect on beliefs is to hold them steady in the face of evidence. In an attempt to explore the motivations we might have for engaging in this form of confirmation bias, I will argue that we can understand the tendency through a combination of a picture of beliefs as forming an interconnected web, and an understanding of the effect of affective elements on belief. Furthermore, given this motivational story, it is sometimes reasonable to hold beliefs steady. I will argue that finding the balance between giving up beliefs too easily in the face of contrary evidence, and holding onto them too rigidly, is an epistemic virtue. Finally, defending my picture from the objection that the mental states I discuss do not count as beliefs, I will argue that confirmation bias is a way of maintaining fixed beliefs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kirkaldy, Hannah Tshirukhwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Homophobia , Discrimination , Prejudices , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7279 , vital:21238
- Description: In this thesis, I will argue that a challenge to the combatting of sexual prejudice (more commonly known as homophobia) through argument and evidence is that those on both sides of the issue are prone to a phenomenon known in psychology as confirmation bias. While the motivating concern of the thesis is sexual prejudice, and while I do discuss sexual prejudice throughout the thesis, I will focus mostly on confirmation bias, with the understanding that the picture I set out will have implications for combatting sexual prejudice at a later stage. The term confirmation bias refers either to the tendency to look for evidence which confirms one's already-held beliefs, or to engage differently with evidence based on whether or not you agree with its conclusion. After dissecting two paradigmatic experiments which explore these two kinds of confirmation bias, and arguing that they can be further broken down into sub-phenomena, I will focus on the latter kind, as I think it is the more relevant to sexual prejudice. Its essential effect on beliefs is to hold them steady in the face of evidence. In an attempt to explore the motivations we might have for engaging in this form of confirmation bias, I will argue that we can understand the tendency through a combination of a picture of beliefs as forming an interconnected web, and an understanding of the effect of affective elements on belief. Furthermore, given this motivational story, it is sometimes reasonable to hold beliefs steady. I will argue that finding the balance between giving up beliefs too easily in the face of contrary evidence, and holding onto them too rigidly, is an epistemic virtue. Finally, defending my picture from the objection that the mental states I discuss do not count as beliefs, I will argue that confirmation bias is a way of maintaining fixed beliefs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation into the promotion and development of awareness intergenerational transmission of prejudice in adolescents
- Authors: Vermaas, Shanna Maureen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Adolescence , Bibliotherapy for teenagers , Prejudices
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7211 , vital:21302
- Description: South Africa is a country where those who were oppressed in the past are trying to live in a society with their former oppressors. The youth of today appear to be carrying the anger, fears and uncertainties of the past. This could be the result of intergenerational transmission of prejudice, whereby memories of experiences, fears, anger and levels of anxiety may be absorbed by the next generation. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement an intervention programme that could assist adolescent learners in making their own informed decisions, despite the influences of the intergenerational transmission of prejudice. This was achieved by combining three theories, namely the transgenerational theory, historical trauma and social learning theory, with the principles of bibliotherapy. The research conducted was based in the interpretive paradigm, with the study methodology being qualitative in nature. The research design implemented was a case study. Data generation was achieved by utilising a variety of methods, namely open-ended questions, small focus groups and reflection journals. Analysis of the data was accomplished by applying a thematic analysis approach. The sample for this study was selected from a local, government high school and the participants consisted of a group of Grade 10 learners, who all held leadership positions in the school. The purpose of this study was achieved by utilising the principles of bibliotherapy to inform a programme to develop awareness of intergenerational transmission of prejudice. This was then combined with the principles of bibliotherapy, with scenarios taken from the animated film, The Land Before Time, to further assist in creating awareness and a better understanding of the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Finally, the programme was used to equip the participants with the tools needed, to transfer what they had learnt from the programme to decisions they would need to make in their daily lives. This study has shown that the principles of bibliotherapy can be used to promote and develop awareness of intergenerational transmission of prejudice in adolescent learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Vermaas, Shanna Maureen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Adolescence , Bibliotherapy for teenagers , Prejudices
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7211 , vital:21302
- Description: South Africa is a country where those who were oppressed in the past are trying to live in a society with their former oppressors. The youth of today appear to be carrying the anger, fears and uncertainties of the past. This could be the result of intergenerational transmission of prejudice, whereby memories of experiences, fears, anger and levels of anxiety may be absorbed by the next generation. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement an intervention programme that could assist adolescent learners in making their own informed decisions, despite the influences of the intergenerational transmission of prejudice. This was achieved by combining three theories, namely the transgenerational theory, historical trauma and social learning theory, with the principles of bibliotherapy. The research conducted was based in the interpretive paradigm, with the study methodology being qualitative in nature. The research design implemented was a case study. Data generation was achieved by utilising a variety of methods, namely open-ended questions, small focus groups and reflection journals. Analysis of the data was accomplished by applying a thematic analysis approach. The sample for this study was selected from a local, government high school and the participants consisted of a group of Grade 10 learners, who all held leadership positions in the school. The purpose of this study was achieved by utilising the principles of bibliotherapy to inform a programme to develop awareness of intergenerational transmission of prejudice. This was then combined with the principles of bibliotherapy, with scenarios taken from the animated film, The Land Before Time, to further assist in creating awareness and a better understanding of the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Finally, the programme was used to equip the participants with the tools needed, to transfer what they had learnt from the programme to decisions they would need to make in their daily lives. This study has shown that the principles of bibliotherapy can be used to promote and develop awareness of intergenerational transmission of prejudice in adolescent learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
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