Why do some people cling to racist or sexist beliefs, even when they harm others and destabilize society? While the roots of prejudice are complex, one overlooked psychological mechanism offers insight into how and why people fall into these harmful ideologies.
At its core, this mechanism stems from a common human experience: feeling stuck at the bottom of a social hierarchy.
Two Paths to Social Climbing
When someone sees themselves as being at the bottom of a hierarchy—whether in wealth, status, romantic success, or influence—they typically face two broad options:
- Self-Improvement: They can work to improve themselves, build skills, change habits, or adapt to new challenges in order to rise within the existing structure.
- Hierarchy Manipulation: Alternatively, they can try to reshape the hierarchy itself, redefining who belongs at the top—often without changing anything about themselves.
This second option is where things can take a dark turn.
The Distorted Logic of Racism
For someone who feels powerless, insecure, or socially “below” others, it can be psychologically comforting to find a scapegoat. Racism provides one by offering a ready-made narrative: “People who don’t look like me are inferior by nature, so I must be above them.”
This worldview offers an illusory sense of superiority. Regardless of actual accomplishments or character, the racist can mentally place themselves higher in a constructed pecking order. Even if they achieve nothing in reality, they’re still “better” than the group they’ve targeted.
Often this belief system remains internal, providing the individual with a perverse sense of pride or relief. But in many cases, it turns outward: racists try to persuade others, influence politics, or reshape laws in ways that disadvantage certain racial groups.
If successful, these efforts can temporarily elevate the racist’s social standing by marginalizing others. But this comes at a steep cost—social instability, moral degradation, and eventual societal decline.
Why Sexism Offers False Comfort
A similar psychological mechanism fuels sexism.
When someone feels rejected or powerless—especially in romantic or sexual contexts—some turn to sexism as a form of emotional self-protection. Instead of reflecting inward, they blame an entire gender for their struggles.
By believing that a particular sex is inherently inferior, the sexist again “solves” their hierarchy problem. In their view, they were born superior and therefore can’t truly be at the bottom. This can provide fleeting satisfaction, but it distorts reality and undermines healthy relationships.
Worse still, when this belief system spreads, it can lead to laws, norms, or cultural structures that limit the rights and freedoms of one sex in favor of the other. While this may grant some individuals more control or access to resources in the short term, it ultimately corrodes mutual respect and equality—both of which are importance for a stable and advanced society.
The Bigger Problem: Tribalism
Racism and sexism are just two of the most well-known forms of tribalism. The broader issue is the human tendency to sort ourselves into “us” and “them,” and then justify why “we” deserve more power, status, or resources.
Any group can fall into this mindset. It doesn’t require being part of a historically dominant class. All it takes is a desire to feel superior without the discomfort of growth. And once a group internalizes this belief, it’s not hard to convince others that their status is a birthright—not something earned or shared.
The Moral Choice Ahead
In a world where status and belonging are deeply valued (which has its own problems), it’s tempting to reshape reality to suit our egos. But the real path forward requires individuals—and societies—to reject this temptation. We must choose growth over scapegoating, integrity over tribalism, and empathy over control.
Prejudice thrives when people are too afraid or unwilling to face their own shortcomings. But history shows that sustainable progress comes when people commit to self-reflection, personal development, and mutual respect.
The choice is always there: change yourself, or try to change the world to suit your flaws. One path builds a better future. The other leads us backward.