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Results for “Social Discrimination”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Viral vector-mediated gene transfer of the vole V1a vasopressin receptor in the rat septum: improved social discrimination and active social behaviour.

This study explores the effects of enhancing vasopressin V1a receptor expression in the septum using viral vector-mediated gene transfer on social discrimination and social interactions. Bilateral infusion of an adeno-associated viral vector containing the prairie vole V1a receptor gene (V1aR-AAV) regulated by a neuron-specific enolase promoter resulted in a stable increase in V1a receptor binding density in the rat septum without affecting oxytocin receptor density. Control animals were infused with a vector expressing the lacZ gene. In a social discrimination paradigm, only V1aR-AAV-treated animals succeeded in discriminating a previously encountered from a novel juvenile after an interexposure interval (IEI) of more than 2 h, demonstrating the functional incorporation of the vole V1a receptor in the rat septal circuits underlying short-term memory processes. Microdialysis administration of synthetic vasopressin during the first juvenile exposure, used to mimic intraseptal release patterns of the neuropeptide, produced similar prolongations in recognition (up to an IEI of 24 h) in both V1aR-AAV and control animals. Septal microdialysis administration of a selective V1a, but not oxytocin, receptor antagonist in both groups prevented discrimination even after an IEI of as short as 0.5 h, confirming the specificity of the vole V1a receptor involvement in social discrimination abilities. In addition, active social interactions were found to be increased among V1aR-AAV rats compared to controls. Viral vector-mediated gene transfer provides a valuable tool for studies on the role of localized gene expression on behavioural parameters.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Does social identification harm or serve as a buffer? The impact of social identification on anger after experiencing social discrimination.

Research on targets' affective reactions to social discrimination has not yet addressed self- and other-directed anger at the same time. Four studies tested the hypothesis that the perceived cause of negative feedback moderates the impact of social identification on self-directed anger. In Studies 1 and 2, high levels of social identification led to less self-directed anger when negative feedback was attributed to social discrimination but not when it was attributed either to other external causes or internally. In Study 3, a cross-lagged design showed that higher identification led to less self-directed anger when negative feedback was attributed to social discrimination but not the other way around. This effect was found using scenarios (Studies 1-3) and also when using the recollection of personal experiences to manipulate attribution (Study 4). These results indicate that following social discrimination, social identification protects the self and does not increase individual vulnerability.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Involvement of estrogen receptor alpha, beta and oxytocin in social discrimination: A detailed behavioral analysis with knockout female mice.

Social recognition, processing, and retaining information about conspecific individuals is crucial for the development of normal social relationships. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is necessary for social recognition in male and female mice, with its effects being modulated by estrogens in females. In previous studies, mice whose genes for the estrogen receptor-alpha (alpha-ERKO) and estrogen receptor-beta (beta-ERKO) as well as OTKO were knocked out failed to habituate to a repeatedly presented conspecific and to dishabituate when the familiar mouse is replaced by a novel animal (Choleris et al. 2003, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100, 6192-6197). However, a binary social discrimination assay, where animals are given a simultaneous choice between a familiar and a previously unknown individual, offers a more direct test of social recognition. Here, we used alpha-ERKO, beta-ERKO, and OTKO female mice in the binary social discrimination paradigm. Differently from their wild-type controls, when given a choice, the KO mice showed either reduced (beta-ERKO) or completely impaired (OTKO and alpha-ERKO) social discrimination. Detailed behavioral analyses indicate that all of the KO mice have reduced anxiety-related stretched approaches to the social stimulus with no overall impairment in horizontal and vertical activity, non-social investigation, and various other behaviors such as, self-grooming, digging, and inactivity. Therefore, the OT, ER-alpha, and ER-beta genes are necessary, to different degrees, for social discrimination and, thus, for the modulation of social behavior (e.g. aggression, affiliation).

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Is it possible to replace stimulus animals by scent-filled cups in the social discrimination test?

A study in which the rat social discrimination test was refined is described. This test measures social memory by using, in general, juvenile rats as stimulus animals. Rats are offered a first juvenile to investigate (learning trial), and after a specified interval, the rats are offered the same rat and a second juvenile rat to investigate again (retrieval trial). When the rats sniff the second juvenile in the retrieval trial more than the first, social memory for the second juvenile is said to be present. This test is mainly based on scents from the juvenile. Attempts were made to refine the test to reduce the number of animals used, to enhance the scope of the test, and to improve its validity. Firstly, the stimulus animals were replaced by the scent of juveniles, in the form of cups filled with sawdust taken from cages of juvenile rats. Similar results to those in the original test were obtained when using these scents. Furthermore, male and female scents were tested, and showed the same results as for the juvenile scents. Secondly, rats were also given two cups (one scent-filled and one filled with plain sawdust) in the learning trial, to determine which allowed a more-precise delineation of motivational, discriminatory and memory components. Overall, it is possible to replace stimulus animals by scent-filled cups in the social discrimination test, to enhance the scope of the test, and to draw more-valid conclusions with respect to social memory.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Affiliation and social discrimination produced by brief exposure in day-old domestic chicks.

Discrimination between individual strangers and companions was examined in day-old domestic chicks. In one experiment, pecking rates at companions and strangers were observed in pairwise bouts after 16 hr of cohabitation. The discriminability of strangers and companions was varied by means of pre-hatch colouring. Reliable discriminations between individual strangers and companions emerged as early as the first minute of the encounter. Discriminative cues provided by artificial colouring were found not to be necessary in establishing social discrimination. In a second experiment, undyed chicks were housed in pairs for 1, 4 or 16 hr. Half of the pairs lived in cages that separated companions by a wire screen, and half were housed in undivided cages. Observations of pecking in four-way bouts confirmed previous findings and demonstrated that the opportunity to peck during exposure may be a necessary condition in producing social discrimination. Antecedent conditions that lead to the development of affiliative bonds simultaneously appear to establish social discrimination.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Social discrimination procedure: an alternative method to investigate juvenile recognition abilities in rats.

Experiments were performed to establish the social discrimination procedure as an alternative method to the widely used social recognition test for investigating short-term olfactory memory processes in rats. The time that 4-mo old male animals spent investigating conspecific juveniles was taken as an index of their juvenile recognition/discrimination abilities. When the same juvenile was reexposed to the adult 30 min after its initial exposure, it was investigated at a significantly lower intensity compared to a simultaneously presented novel juvenile. If the second exposure to the previously exposed juvenile occurred 2 h later, however, both juveniles were investigated equally, indicating an extinction of olfactory memory. The simultaneous presentation of the previously exposed juvenile and novel juvenile provides not only an internal control under identical experimental conditions (thus reducing the number of sessions for a given experimental series), but also the opportunity to separate specific (i.e., memory-related) from nonspecific (i.e., investigatory behavior-suppression) effects in pharmacological studies. Furthermore, the social discrimination procedure enables even in sexually naive adult male rats the detection of juvenile recognition abilities which seem to be masked in the social recognition test by sexual/aggressive behavior-motivated investigation. The method described here might be an attractive alternative to the conventional social recognition procedure.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Experiences of and responses to social discrimination among Asian and Pacific Islander gay men: their relationship to HIV risk.

As the HIV/AIDS epidemic enters its third decade, rates of infection continue to rise in ethnic minority populations. Though the prevalence of HIV among Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) gay men remains to be clearly documented, research has shown that these men engage in relatively high rates of HIV risk behavior. The social discrimination that minority gay men experience may impact their HIV risk behavior and mental health (Diaz & Ayala, 2001). This article examines the experiences of and response to social discrimination among A&PI gay men, and their links to HIV risk behaviors. The study analyzes 166 narrative episodes of discrimination, as well as data on HIV risk obtained from in-depth interviews with 23 A&PI gay men. Results showed that A&PI gay men experience types of discrimination across a variety of contexts. Homophobia and anti-immigrant discrimination were linked to confrontation and social network-based responses whereas discrimination based in stereotypes of passivity / submission were linked with self-attribution. A&PI gay men who used confrontational, social network-based or avoidance response types showed less HIV risk than those who did not. Conversely, A&PI gay men who responded to discrimination with self-attribution showed greater HIV risk behaviors. These findings indicate that experiences of social discrimination and responses to discrimination may impact A&PI gay men's well-being and health.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Social discrimination and tolerance in intergroup relations: reactions to intergroup difference.

In this article, we present a theoretical approach to social discrimination on the one hand and intergroup relations characterized by tolerance and plurality on the other hand. Central to the analysis is the question of how members deal with intergroup difference. If the outgroup's difference is judged to be non-normative and inferior, devaluation, discrimination, and hostility are likely responses toward the outgroup. Judging the outgroup's difference to be normative or positive leads to acceptance and appreciation of this group. Following self-categorization theory, the criteria being norms and values for judging intergroup differences are derived from the superordinate category that is perceived to include both groups. More specifically, they are derived from the prototype, or representation, of this inclusive category. Social discrimination results from the generalization of ingroup attributes to the inclusive category, which then become criteria for judging the outgroup. Tolerance, on the other hand, is conceptualized as either a lack of inclusion of both groups in a higher order category or as the representation of the inclusive category in such a way as to also include the other group and designate it as normative.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

[Real groups in the minimal group paradigm; does the group context work as corrective or catalysing agent for social discrimination?].

Studies applying the minimal group paradigm to analyze social discrimination processes have been analyzing for the most part the behavior of individuals. The present experiment extends the minimal group paradigm to the group level. The aim of the present study was to compare the decisions made by real groups (N = 3 persons) with those made by single persons. The analysis of the total points given to the in- or the outgroup as well as the strategy MIP + MDI on F revealed that groups are significantly more biased towards the ingroup than individuals. On the other hand, individuals use the strategy F on MIP + MDI significantly more than groups and thus show a greater amount of fairness. These conclusions are qualified by a new method of identifying dominant strategies which shows that the dominant strategy used by individuals and groups is fairness. A theoretical explanation of the results is offered based on social identity theory, the groupthink model and self-awareness theory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

[The problem complex of the disabled and the marginal group theory - socio-scientific approaches designed to explain the social discrimination of the disabled (author's transl)].

The position of disabled people in societies such as the Federal Republic of Germany, is characterised by the status of marginal groups in the sense of social discrimination. As can be demonstrated by the discrimination shown towards the disabled in employment, there are two different paradigms of the socio-scientific marginal group theory suitable for explaining this fact. According to the socio-psychological approach, vocational discrimination is understood as a sort of social punishment for the violation of norms and values. The socio-economic approach, on the contrary, considers the unfavourable job situation of the disabled a by-product of a general development towards underemployment and the de-manning programme in capitalistic systems. In some respect, the theoretical approach seems to be more resonable, but to comprehend adequately the marginal group status of the disabled, it is necessary to integrate both the socio-economic and socio-psychological theory components.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed2003

The influence of preexperimental experience on social discrimination in rats (Rattus norvegicus).

The authors used laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) of known relatedness and contrasting familiarity to assess the potential effect of preexperimental social experience on subsequent social recognition. The authors used the habituation-discrimination technique, which assumes that multiple exposures to a social stimulus (e.g., soiled bedding) ensure a subject discriminates between the habituation stimulus and a novel stimulus when both are introduced simultaneously. The authors observed a strong discrimination if the subjects had different amounts of preexperimental experience with the donors of the 2 stimuli but a weak discrimination if the subjects had either equal amounts of preexperimental experience or no experience with the stimuli. Preexperimental social experience does, therefore, appear to influence decision making in subsequent social discriminations. Implications for recognition and memory research are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[From ostracized to facially-injured subjects -- an example of social discrimination from the history of medicine].

The historical social situation and medical treatment of facially injured individuals is briefly summarized. Facially injured individuals were ostracized from society as a result of legal punishment, fear of contamination; or, because one believed that their injuries reflected a character-deficiency or even possession by evil spirits. In 1975, the term "defaced" (Entstellter) was replaced by the value-neutral description "facially injured" (Gesichtsversehrter).

Europe↗
PubMed2006

Experiences of social discrimination among men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China.

In China, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increasingly high risk for HIV. However, prevention efforts targeting this population may be hindered because of the stigma associated with homosexuality in traditional Chinese culture. We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 MSM in Shanghai to better understand the types and sources of stigma and discrimination and how MSM respond to them. The stigma associated with homosexuality can be traced back to four culturally based factors: social status and relationships, the value of family, perceptions of immorality and abnormality, and gender stereotypes of masculinity. In particular, the centrality of the family and the importance of maintaining key relationships caused stress and anxiety, contributing to more frequent encounters with felt stigma. In response, MSM often evaded the scrutiny of family members through various tactics, even prompting some to leave their rural homes. Implications of these findings on HIV/AIDS prevention are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Relation between racial discrimination, social class, and health among ethnic minority groups.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored associations between racism, social class, and health among ethnic minority people in England and Wales. METHODS: We conducted a series of regression analyses on cross-sectional data from the Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities to explore the relation between different indicators of racism and health and household occupational class. RESULTS: Marked independent associations existed between reported experience of racism and perceptions of Britain as a "racist society," household social class, age, sex, and various mental and physical health indicators. These associations showed reasonable consistency across the different ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The different ways in which racism may manifest itself (as interpersonal violence, institutional discrimination, or socioeconomic disadvantage) all have independent detrimental effects on health, regardless of the health indicator used.

Asia, Western↗
PubMed2000

When are we better than them and they worse than us? A closer look at social discrimination in positive and negative domains.

This article argues that in-group favoritism occurs on positive and negative dimensions only when the dimensions of comparison provide an appropriate and meaningful basis for self-other definition, that is, when traits comparatively and normatively fit in-group-out-group categorizations. Three studies are reported in which groups were evaluated on positive or negative traits that varied in their degree of normative fit to in-group and out-group identity. In line with predictions, fit rather than stimulus valence was the crucial determinant of (a) in-group favoritism and (b) absolute level of differentiation between groups. Implications of the findings for explanations of positive-negative asymmetry and broader understandings of intergroup discrimination are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

V1 vasopressin receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide into septum reduces vasopressin binding, social discrimination abilities, and anxiety-related behavior in rats.

To develop and validate a vasopressin (AVP) receptor knockdown strategy, we infused an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the V1 subtype mRNA into the septum of male rats with osmotic minipumps and measured behavioral, cellular and molecular parameters. Compared to vehicle and scrambled-sequence oligo controls, chronic antisense administration for up to 4 d diminished the ability of the animals to distinguish a previously exposed juvenile from a novel one and to respond to exogenous AVP (1 ng/5 microliters, intracerebroventricular) with an improved social memory. Furthermore, anxiety-related behavior was reduced. As measured in the behaviorally tested rats, antisense treatment resulted in a reduced binding of radiolabeled AVP in the septum, but not in other limbic brain areas (receptor autoradiography), and an increased amount of V1 receptor mRNA (reverse transcriptase PCR), indicating translational arrest and ongoing transcriptional activity. In sense oligo-treated rats, on the other hand, both the social and the anxiety-related behavior scores lay between levels obtained in control and antisense-treated animals. These sense-treated rats showed a slightly reduced V1 receptor density in the septum and reduced receptor mRNA levels, indicating hybridization of the sense oligo to the DNA. The data show the potential of antisense targeting to further reveal relationships between local gene expression, neuropeptide-receptor interactions in distinct brain areas, and behavioral performance.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Morbidly obese patients' perceptions of social discrimination before and after surgery for obesity.

Morbidly obese patients' perceptions of obesity-related prejudice and discrimination were assessed before and 14 months after operation for obesity. Preoperatively, the 57 consecutive patients perceived overwhelming prejudice and discrimination at work, within the family, and in public places. After a weight loss of more than 45.5 kg (100 lb), these patients perceived little or no prejudice or discrimination. We examine factors contributing to the change in patients' perceptions and comment upon patients' perceptions of the negative attitudes held by health professionals toward obese patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The ingroup as pars pro toto: projection from the ingroup onto the inclusive category as a precursor to social discrimination.

In an approach to intergroup discrimination and tolerance, it is assumed that the outgroup's difference from the ingroup is evaluated with reference to the prototype of the higher-order category that includes both groups. Two correlational studies yielded evidence that (a) group members tend to perceive their ingroup as relatively prototypical for the inclusive category (projection), (b) members highly identified with both ingroup and inclusive category (dual identity) tend to project most, and (c) relative prototypicality is related to negative attitudes toward the outgroup. The latter relation was further specified in Study 3, manipulating the valence of the inclusive category. Projection was related to more negative attitudes toward the outgroup when the inclusive category was primed positively but to more positive attitudes when it was primed negatively. The meaning of dual identities for intergroup relations is discussed.

Adolescent↗