Social Influences on Human Behavior
Social psychology shows the way a person’s behaviors are influenced by the social environment. Social psychology includes people’s own attitudes, attributions, attractions, group behaviors, conformity, and obedience. It also includes schemas, biases, stereotypes, and attitudes toward others. (Sullivan, 2009)
The 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States had a big impact on some Americans’ attitudes toward Muslims living in the United States. The terrorists involved in the attack were all Muslim Arabs. The United States has an estimated 6 million Muslims. ("America's muslims," 2006) When the attacks happened, U.S. Muslims were shocked just like all other Americans. After the attacks, many of the U.S. Muslims had to deal with the hateful attitudes toward them coming from other Americans. Many Americans’ bad attitudes toward Muslims intensified into rage and anger after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Any Muslim Arab fit the description of a terrorist in the eyes of many Americans.
This led to biases and stereotypes of U.S. Muslims being associated with terrorist activity. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, American Muslims have experienced increased job discrimination since 2001. They have also found that Americans with Muslim names have a harder time finding a job. (Epstein, 2011) Anti-terrorism measures such as surveillance of Muslim organizations have left the Muslim community uneasy and victims of discrimination.
Many U.S. Muslims tried to prove their loyalty to the United States by condemning terrorism through issued statements and religious pronouncements. But while some U.S. Muslims felt discriminated against; others felt their fellow Americans have also been supportive. America’s interest in understanding Islamic culture has grown since 2001. ("America's muslims," 2006) The importance to ensure all