During a period of rising prices, the majority in a town blames a small migrant community for the town's economic problems. The migrants are too few to answer back. Which of the following is true of the source of prejudice shown here?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → It is a group-based way of expressing frustration
Option (1) It arises when people boost a very positive attitude towards their own group — Incorrect. This is <strong>strong social identity and ingroup bias</strong>. The town's prejudice comes from frustration over prices.
Option (2) It rests on the target group behaving in ways that confirm the negative expectations — Incorrect. This describes the <strong>self-fulfilling prophecy</strong>, where the target group's own behaviour keeps the prejudice going. In the town, the majority does the blaming; the migrants do nothing to confirm it.
Option (3) It rests on the belief that a few examples prove what everyone says about the group — Incorrect. This is the <strong>kernel of truth</strong> idea: people keep a stereotype because they think there must be some truth in it. The town is not relying on examples; it is placing blame for its problems.
Option (4) It is a group-based way of expressing frustration — Correct. Blaming a weak minority for the majority's own problems is <strong>scapegoating</strong>. It is a <strong>group-based way of expressing frustration</strong>, and it leads to prejudice against the weaker group.
NCERT (2026-27): “PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION … |