Understanding Human Thoughts, Behaviors, and Social Influence to Counter Racial Discrimination

Abstract

In light of the rising societal tension and critical importance of systemic response, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Stop AAPI Hate movement, many have reexamined the role that discrimination plays on their perception of others. This paper recounts how racial discrimination is currently affecting society holistically and how in particular it affects African American Youth. The paper will then utilize current literature on the psychological aspect of discrimination in order to solidify a clearer understanding of human behaviors and thoughts with regard to racial discrimination. Lastly, this paper will illustrate how public institutions can extend their preexisting diversifying efforts using the key concepts of Moscovici’s minority influence theory in order to combat this systematic problem.