Discrimination: Causes, Consequences, Theories, and Policies Analysis

This essay delves into the multifaceted issue of discrimination, analyzing its root causes, diverse manifestations, and far-reaching consequences. It examines how discrimination benefits certain groups while disadvantaging others, providing a comprehensive understanding of its societal impact. The essay applies sociological theories of prejudice and discrimination, offering psychological insights into discriminatory behaviors. Furthermore, it explores social policies designed to address discrimination, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and evaluates their effectiveness. The analysis is supported by references to course readings, adhering to proper APA formatting, making it a valuable resource for students studying sociology and related fields. This assignment offers a thorough examination of discrimination, its theoretical underpinnings, and practical implications.

Running head: DISCRIMINATION
DISCRIMINATION
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1DISCRIMINATION
Introduction:
Discrimination is a behaviour that leads to prejudice. Discrimination involves denying
individual or group their fundamental rights on basis of their achieved or ascribed features. The
paper aims to discuss the major causes of discrimination and the ways discrimination has been
manifested. Also, the paper will discuss the consequences of the discrimination and the ways one
group benefits over another through discrimination. The theories of prejudice and discrimination
will be discussed with examples and social policies that have emerged in order to the acts of
discrimination.
Two major causes of discrimination:
The term is commonly used in the contemporary era however it is not a new concept that
is born within a few years. It is a behaviour that is psychologically supported by several aspects
in society that are often unjust (Hamilton et al., 2014). The reason discrimination exists is
primarily for a dominant group carry out actions that are in a way to enforce that minority groups
are treated in a different way. Discrimination creates disadvantages for either the minority group
or for common people without much power (Kline, 2013). In the same way, discriminating these
group acts as an advantage for a few groups who enjoy power and position in the society.
The ways discrimination is manifested:
Discrimination is manifested when an individual or group is deprived of their
fundamental rights that they are entitled to being a human. For example, a café owner that refuse
to serve a client due to its ethnicity or cultural background. When an individual is denied to
access certain health right due to the language barrier, it is a manifestation of discrimination
(Hellman, 2017).

2DISCRIMINATION
Consequences of the discrimination:
The impact of discrimination can be direct as well as indirect. The most common impact is
people who are discriminated are often lack behind in society. Discriminated people develop a
psychological disorder. Also, a power imbalance is created in the society through discrimination.
Lack of equal opportunity, lack of access to resources and inequality are some of the other major
consequences of discrimination.
The theories of prejudice and discrimination:
Discrimination exists in various level, on an institutional level, class, and cultural groups
and various another aspect. Psychological theories explain there is an existence of aggression
that one group possess towards another that results into discrimination. The source of prejudice
is on an individual basis that is raised through frustration. The authoritarian personality theory
emphasis on the reasons prejudice exerts a strong influence on individual or groups. In this
theory, the important aspect is to understand the thinking process of the people behaving in a
prejudiced manner.
Social policies that have emerged to address the acts of discrimination:
According to title VII of civil rights Acts of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate
someone on basis of race, religion, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other aspects
(Hersch, & Shinall, 2015).
Conclusion:
As discussed above Discrimination is a behaviour that leads to prejudice. Discrimination
occurs when certain people are treated in a different manner than others due to their membership

3DISCRIMINATION
in a certain group. It is also important to understand the classification of discrimination in order
to understand their need for elimination from society.

4DISCRIMINATION
References:
Hamilton, S., Lewis-Holmes, E., Pinfold, V., Henderson, C., Rose, D., & Thornicroft, G. (2014).
Discrimination against people with a mental health diagnosis: qualitative analysis of
reported experiences. Journal of mental health, 23(2), 88-93.
Hellman, D. (2017). What makes genetic discrimination exceptional?. In Genetics and Gene
Therapy (pp. 169-208). Routledge.
Hersch, J., & Shinall, J. B. (2015). Fifty years later: The legacy of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 34(2), 424-456.