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Racism, bias, and discrimination

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Racism is a form of prejudice that generally includes negative emotional reactions to members of a group, acceptance of negative stereotypes, and racial discrimination against individuals; in some cases it can lead to violence.

Discrimination refers to the differential treatment of different age, gender, racial, ethnic, religious, national, ability identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, and other groups at the individual level and the institutional/structural level. Discrimination is usually the behavioral manifestation of prejudice and involves negative, hostile, and injurious treatment of members of rejected groups.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Resources from APA

Tackling stigma in the ranks

Psychology has a covert history of stigmatizing colleagues and patients with mental health difficulties

Musicians fight mental health stigma through music

Artists share their wisdom and experiences coping with mental health challenges

Is mental health still misconstrued on screen? Psychology goes to Hollywood to dispel stigma

The industry is eager for psychologists’ expertise to improve mental health portrayals on-screen and more.

Policymakers are taking aim at women and LGBTQ+ individuals

Alarming policy trends are affecting people’s mental health, but psychologists are fighting back.

More resources about racism

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Race, ethnicity, and religion

APA Services advocates for the equal treatment of people of all races, religions, and ethnicities, as well as funding for federal programs that address health disparities in these groups.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Inclusive language guidelines

APA’s commitment to addressing systemic racism

APA’s action plan for addressing inequality

APA’s apology to people of color in the U.S.

Confronting past wrongs and building an equitable future