TY - JOUR PY - 1929// TI - The Prejudices of Men JO - American journal of sociology A1 - Wallis, Wilson D. SP - 804 EP - 821 VL - 34 IS - 5 N2 - Prejudice is a predisposition in judging not determined by mere love of truth. So-called "hard facts" are really plastic. Factors which keep prejudice alive are interest, ignorance, inertia of opinion, and isolation. Every century scorns the preceding for its superstition, and every people considers its culture superior to all others. There is a tendency to identify enlightenment with the geography of one's own culture. The explanation lies in the strength of the social bond. As society becomes more efficient, group solidarity becomes an instrument of danger, for social impulse runs to excess. The means becomes end. The more silent and insidious the foe, the more dangerous it is.
LA - SN - 0002-9602 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/214823 ID - ref1 ER -