I would like to advance the thesis that, if peoples' "negative associations" are justifiable, that if, in fact, they are based on valid observation and experience, then to NOT be "biased" is pathological. To NOT embrace negative conditioning is to discard one of the psychological mechanisms that has ensured our survival as a species. It is sick to expect people to choose the wrong door in the maze, get shocked, then choose the wrong door again. And again. And again. What this author proposes is that we are somehow wrong in associating being shocked with something negative.
Defining deviance downward.
“To NOT embrace negative conditioning is to discard one of the psychological mechanisms that has ensured our survival as a species. It is sick to expect people to choose the wrong door in the maze, get shocked, then choose the wrong door again.”
I agree with your response. It exposes the lie concerning learning prejudice from our parents or friends and not through direct experience. This was a dandy piece of propaganda which once was wide spread by the PC police. Even though it ignored obvious reality, we were to believe it was only our culture’s evil preconceptions and never from experience that anyone became prejudiced.
When I was in college studying behavioral science I did not dare even think about making this point in class. However, we no longer are in school. I’m quite sure you are correct.