Prejudice and Education: The Elephant in the Classroom
We don’t usually talk about it, but prejudice does exist in education. Teachers and students are only human, after all. What are prejudices? What consequences can they have for a person's identity and further development? How can we deal with them? (English / SG-Certificate*)
Time: 19:30-21:30 hrs.
Registration for the auditorium (required) is closed, admission to watch the livestream is free.
Watch this symposium via livestream
Prejudice
Prejudice is a negative overgeneralization about different persons or groups. It comes from the Latin meaning: to pre-judge. When prejudice is translated into action, it can become discrimination or worse.
Students and teachers
Children develop stereotypical images of themselves and others in relation to race and ethnicity from an early age. These images don’t only get shaped at home, but also in the classroom.
Even the most dedicated and well-meaning teachers can hold stereotypes and beliefs that affect their students. It is important to be aware of that since teachers’ beliefs in their students’ academic skills and potential is an important factor for student success. In the Netherlands, for instance, there is discussion about the potential bias in the so-called ‘school recommendation’ that children receive at the end of primary school.
Can education combat prejudice?
Being aware of any of our own prejudiced thoughts is the first step to addressing them, experts say. It is said that building friendships, empathy, trust, and tolerance are some of the best ways to break down barriers of prejudice. This can start in the classroom.
Experts
These experts will share their insights with you.
Prof. dr. Ilja van Beest, Department Head of Social Psychology (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).
Ilja van Beest is the moderator of this event. He starts off with an introduction on education. How do new environments influence a person?
Prof. dr. Marc Vermeulen, Professor of Educational Sociology at TIAS|Tilburg University.
Marc Vermeulen will talk about education fitting the needs of the student. He will also talk about the so-called Pygmalion effect. What happens when teachers have (subconscious) prejudices on students?
Dr. Max Spotti, Senior lecturer at the Department of Culture Studies (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences).
What is identity and how does it arise? How do stereotypes and identity relate? Max Spotti will tell you more about these questions.
Prof. dr. Jos Swanenberg, Professor at the Department of Culture Studies (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences).
Jos Swanenberg studied how language and prejudices relate. For example, how do teachers judge your performance if you have an accent? In addition, he will talk about accents of teachers at Fontys Hogescholen. What do the students think about the accents?
More information
This event will take place on the campus of Tilburg University and we will take into account the current COVID-19 measures.
This event is organized by Studium Generale, Study Association Psychology Complex, SPS-NIP Tilburg and 50 jaar Psychologie in Tilburg
Contact: Annelieke Koster (Studium Generale).
* For students, this event may count towards the SG-Certificate. Check the SG-Certificate website for all the terms and conditions.
50 years of psychology “Tilburg’s best kept secret – pioneers with a soul”
In 2021, psychology at Tilburg University will be 50 years old. We are proud of this anniversary: five decades of successful education, enthusiastic employees and students and unique and groundbreaking research. Due to the sheltered location 'in the green' and a modest attitude, psychology in Tilburg remained under the radar for a long time. Many ideas have now found their way to other universities and hundreds of students have found their way to our psychological studies. Research results are also increasingly finding their way into the public debate.
