Social Perception Essay Example

by the theory of social perception, stemmed from images or stereotypes for Hutus against Tutsis because of the perceived relationship between them.

This has grown over the course of history from the segregation by the Belgians when they occupied Rwanda. Their explanation for the Tutsis’ supremacy was because their features looked more “aristocratic” and nearer to Europeans than the Hutus. This, in itself is another social perception of the Europeans that has prevailed over the years in times past.Their reaction grown from the Hutus’ animosity toward the Tustis “serves to justify a…desired reaction or treatment” (Alexander, Levin, Henry, 2005, p. 29).

In this case, the classified “socially inferior” majority Hutus want to be recognized as equal to the Hutus. Their historical experience as having a worse-off life compared to the Belgian-endorsed Tutsis, fueled resentment and made Tutsis the scapegoat for every crisis that happened to Rwanda. Because of the experience, the Hutus attacked the Tutsis labeling them as a bane to Rwanda and each individual conceptualized the offense in different ways in their own heads.

Thus, this internal conflict stems from an adopted social identification that marked them different from Tutsis seeking positive evaluation by being better than they think the world perceives them (Reicher, 2004, p.924). This is translated in their use of violence and the idea of eradicating their fellow Rwandans. In my personal life, there are biases that exist as I perceive others against the backdrop of my environment. Although I may not be aware of them, there is always a tendency to refer back to my identity as a part of a group that deems itself as different to other groups.Because of this unconscious

application of my social perception, I tend to categorize people even if I know I should get to know them fully first.

In classes and social groups, I unconsciously tend to group with others of either the same background or, if I’m a member of the outsiders, to other outsiders. Not only do I judge them by appearance, but I also judge them by their behavior or a recent experience with a person or a group of people with the seemingly the same (or sometimes even ambiguous) characteristics.