Positive Prejudice as Interpersonal Ethics

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Positive Prejudice as Interpersonal Ethics examines prejudice not merely as a negative attitude toward others but as a general orientation that enables perception and understanding. Prejudicial attitudes appear in all daily human interactions; these interactions have a moral character and thus have an effect on the self-concepts and self-esteem of the participants. By examining this concept at the intersection of three fieldssocial psychological studies of the nature of prejudice, phenomenological examination of a persons interpersonal experiences, and ethical consideration of the character of constructive interactionsthis book places the idea of prejudice in its larger context. Presenting prejudice as situational understanding that impacts all perception and interpretation, Sara Krkkinen Terian offers a way to shape it from negative to positive. She considers recognition of ones value as a person an integral part of positive prejudice and respect as its necessary basis.

Reviews

Born of personal epiphany, nurtured through scholarly rigor, and offered in a time of societal upheaval, Positive Prejudice as Interpersonal Ethics is truly a gift. In this exquisitely written book, Sara Krkkinen Terian skillfully guides the reader through a thoughtful and thought-provoking framework for understanding how prejudgment, turned positive, can enrich, empower, and elevate relationships and community. Relatable examplessome personal, some hypothetical, some research-based, some widely knownelucidate the carefully crafted theoretical approach. This book is recommended to educators and leaders in the professions, law enforcement, faith communities, educational institutions, and government as they guide uncomfortable conversations around prejudice and bigotry.

-- Linda S. Lee, Duke University School of Medicine

This is an existentially and theoretically well-grounded treatment of an issue relevant to contemporary conditions. It invites readers to engage their lives and situations in the hope of finding and transcending individual constraints and living more inclusive lives with a shared sense of a common human destiny! The book merits a wide audience.

-- Andrew J. Weigert, University of Notre Dame

So often, in our discourse as well as in deliberations, we all speak of prejudice in the negative. Sara Krkkinen Terian, in her book Positive Prejudice as Interpersonal Ethics, calls our attention to another point of view. Using social psychological studies of interpersonal behavior with focus on prejudice; ethics in terms of respect for persons, i.e. how one could improve the social experience of others; and phenomenology of social relations, i.e. how one experiences oneself in interpersonal situations, she demonstrates that we encounter prejudice in our daily interactions in terms of our relationships and the respect we grant or deny others. Viewed thus, prejudice becomes more than a social problem and becomes a way of understanding ourselves in relationship to others. As such, prejudice becomes not an attitude to avoid but in its positive form an approach to adopt for better intrapersonal and interpersonal relations.

This volume offers a thought-provoking, challenging, and insightful look at the issue of prejudice. Given recent developments in our nation and world, it is timely. We need to listen to its message, confront our suppositions, and gear our attitudes toward others in a positive direction.

-- Bertram L. Melbourne, Howard University School of Divinity

Author Bio

Sara Krkkinen Terian is a retired professor of sociology.