Society likes to categorize things, to include people. The easiest way to categorize people is through obvious traits. Cultural habits such as what we eat, how we prepare meals, celebrations, what utensils we use, all can play a factor in social visibility differences. Whoever has the power can control resources and make policies. The group in control develops a feeling of superiority.
Ethnocentrism is a belief that one s own ethnic group is superior to all other groups.
When everyone wants a piece of the pie, some are likely to get a bigger piece than others. Generally, it will be the group in power who gets the bigger piece. We learn our stereotypes from parents, schools, peers, and the media. Stereotypes maintain prejudice. This is the process by which males and females learn to display appropriate behavior for their sex.