What is discrimination and prejudice?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain prejudice and discrimination, understand their differences and give examples of each.
Key learning points
- A stereotype is a simplified idea or belief about a person based on limited aspects of their identity.
- When people develop negative feelings based on their stereotypes, this is called prejudice.
- When people start treating others less favourably because of their prejudices, this is discrimination.
- Discrimination can be direct or indirect.
- People who have been discriminated against may also experience victimisation or harassment.
Keywords
Stereotype - a simplified view of a group of people; stereotypes can be positive or negative
Prejudice - when a person develops negative attitudes or feelings about a person or group before getting to know them, often based on stereotypes they hold
Discrimination - treating people unfairly or differently because of things like their race, or where they come from, instead of treating everyone equally
Common misconception
Positive stereotypes don’t cause any harm because they seem complimentary.
Positive stereotypes can be damaging because they create pressure for individuals to meet unrealistic expectations, ignore individuality, and reinforce limiting roles and ideas about what people should be like.
Teacher tip
Set clear ground rules to create a safe space for discussion. Use real-life, age-appropriate scenarios to help pupils relate to the concepts and encourage them to reflect on how it feels to be judged unfairly. Give time to help pupils reflect before sharing respectful conversations.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the start and end to make full sentences.
Q2.Rearrange the words into a sentence about the meaning of equality.
Q3.Which example best shows equity rather than equality?
Q4. refers to the differences between people, such as their race, sex, culture, religion and abilities.
Q5.The 2010 is a law that protects people from discrimination and prejudice.
Q6.Which of these are protected characteristics in the Equality Act?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to their correct definitions.
Q2.Which of the following is an example of indirect discrimination?
Q3.Even though stereotypes can sound like compliments, they still treat everyone in a group as if they’re all the same.
Q4. is unwanted behaviour which someone can find offensive or which makes them feel intimidated or humiliated.
Q5.Someone being treated unfairly after reporting discrimination can be described as ...
Q6.Starting with the first, put these events in the correct order to show how stereotypes can lead to discrimination.
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: What is discrimination and prejudice?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 citizenship lesson on: What is discrimination and prejudice?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the Are people treated equally in UK society? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.