Dr. Michael Bordieri talks with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about hate and ways to overcome it.
Brodieri says psychologists have learned that people have a tendency to associate with those who are similar to themselves and to see others as dangerous. “I think, evolutionarily, this makes sense. If we go back to the days of hunters and gatherers, you’re in-group is what kept you alive... Anyone else who wondered in was a possible threat,” Bordieri said. The tendency is known as ultimate attribution error, where people ascribe positive attributes to themselves and their in-group and negative attributes to others. Bordieri says this tendency can fuel hatred. He adds that people move toward extremes when they only keep company with like-minded people.
Bordieri says hatred, racism, and xenophobia have always been around but they could seem more prevalent today due to perception issues. To reduce hate and overcome fundamental biases, Bordieri says people must interact with a variety of people unlike themselves every day, and, most importantly, collaborate with them. Bordieri says working together and sharing a sense of purpose helps people overcome fundamental biases. The biased thoughts may not disappear, but Bordieri says acknowledging those thoughts and then not struggling with them by choosing to be inclusive of others is another important step in overcoming prejudice and hate.
